Denzel Ward, Juan Thornhill active for Cleveland Browns in AFC wild card game vs. Texans

HOUSTON — Denzel Ward was a concern for the Browns on Thursday afternoon. On Saturday afternoon, he became a concern for the Houston Texans.

Ward was cleared to play in Saturday's AFC wild card game against the Texans. A knee injury during Thursday's practice raised questions about his availability, but he was active for the game.

"I think he'll be OK," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski told NFL Network's Omar Ruiz as the team arrived at NRG Stadium roughly three hours before kickoff. "He's going to give it a go here in pregame. He's feeling good."

Ward's availability was coupled with another secondary starter being active after having been questionable coming into the game. Safety Juan Thornhill was active after being questionable with a calf injury that had sidelined him for four of the final five games.

Those two defensive backs being active was critical against Houston rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who remains the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Stroud, though, has struggled against pressure, as well as against man-to-man coverage.

While Ward and Thornhill were active, a key part of the special teams group wasn't. Running back/kick return Pierre Strong Jr. was inactive due to a back injury he sustained in the regular-season finale at Cincinnati.

Also inactive because of injury for the Browns were kicker Dustin Hopkins (left hamstring) and receiver Cedric Tillman (concussion). The other inactive Browns were quarterback Jeff Driskel (third quarterback), cornerback Kahlef Hailassie, center Luke Wypler and defensive end Isaiah McGuire.

Jonathan Greenard, Will Anderson Jr. active for Houston Texans

To no one's surprise, the Texans pass-rush duo of Jonathan Greenard and Will Anderson Jr. were both active and expected to start. Both had been questionable with ankle injuries.

The No. 3 quarterback was Case Keenum, who started the Christmas Eve game in Week 16 in place of an injured Stroud. Also inactive for Houston were defensive end Jerry Hughes, guard Nick Broeker, tight end Eric Saubert and defensive tackle Teair Tart.

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Denzel Ward, Juan Thornhill active for Browns against Texans