Ward misses Browns' practice; Hardesty joins team drills

Published: Aug 15, 2011 at 07:50 AM

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns starting safety T.J. Ward missed practice Monday to visit the dentist because of a "crazy" tooth problem.

Ward showed up at the team's training facility with a swollen face. Browwns coach Pat Shurmur joked that it looked as if Ward had been punched. Shurmur didn't know how long Ward, who led the team with 105 tackles as a rookie last season, would be out.

Running back Montario Hardesty took part in drills after being sidelined most of the past two weeks in his comeback from knee surgery. Hardesty doesn't know if he'll be able to play in Friday's preseason game against the Detroit Lions.

Shurmur said tight end Ben Watson (hamstring) and linebacker Scott Fujita (thigh) were kept out for precautionary reasons.

Also, Shurmur said offensive guard Billy Yates might retire. He made two starts in 2010.

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