NFL Week 1 key Friday injury updates: Denzel Ward, Chandler Jones, DJ Chark, Marquise Brown

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was undoubtedly a happy man on Thursday when he agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension, but and he's likely less than thrilled at the news that Browns Pro Bowl cornerback Denzel Ward has cleared concussion protocol and will suit up. The Bengals are -2 on the SportsLine consensus, even though Burrow is 0-2 in Cleveland.

When healthy, Ward – the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft – has been one of the NFL's top cornerbacks and a two-time Pro Bowler (2018, 2021), but he's had trouble staying on the field. Ward's career high in games played was 15 in 2021 and his 14 last year were the second most. He finished with 53 tackles, three picks (including his third career pick-six), and two fumbles recovered. Ward entered the protocol during Cleveland's final preseason game against the Chiefs and missed several practices, but was a full participant Friday. "Denzel is a big part of what we do," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said.

Here are more updates on the availability of other notable players for this weekend's games

Chandler Jones

The Raiders pass-rusher isn't hurt, but he's in an odd standoff with the franchise on social media and will not play Sunday in Denver. In a since-deleted Instagram post, Jones said he no longer wanted to play for the team specifically because of coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler. The 33-year-old Jones has been one of the best pass-rushers in the league since 2010 with 112 sacks. He played in 15 games last year with the Raiders, his first with the team, and had 4.5 sacks. You may also remember his incredible walk-off 48-yard fumble return touchdown in Week 15 to beat New England. The Raiders are +3.5.

DJ Chark

Carolina's projected No. 1 receiver will not play Sunday in Atlanta due to a hamstring injury, even though he did practice Friday. It's very unusual to be ruled out after practicing in full. Fellow offseason addition WR Adam Thielen (ankle) is listed as questionable but practiced. So did Pro Bowl defensive end Brian Burns. He's "holding in" for a new deal and it's not clear whether he will decide to play Sunday or pull a Chris Jones. The Panthers are +3.5.

Marquise Brown

Arizona is such an utter mess right now that oddsmakers this week dropped the team's over/under season win total from 4.5 to 3.5. You usually don't see that this late without a major injury. On Thursday, it looked like new starting QB Joshua Dobbs might be down his No. 1 receiver in Brown and No. 1 tight end in Zach Ertz, but both practiced today. The Cardinals are +7 in Washington. 

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