CLEVELAND — There was good news and bad news for the Browns hours before their home game against the Chicago Bears.

The positive is that cornerback Denzel Ward will play against the Bears, his first appearance since Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. An added bonus is that defensive tackle Jordan Elliott will also play after leaving last Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars with a concussion.

The negative, though, is that linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. was ruled out with the knee injury he sustained during Friday's practice. His absence is just the latest blow to a defense which is down multiple starters due to recent injuries.

Ward has been out the previous three games as he recovered from a shoulder injury he sustained in the win over the Steelers. He has practiced the last two weeks, but was ruled out of the Jaguars game.

Elliott's return from concussion protocol is a big boost to a defensive line which will be down key pieces in defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo, who is out Sunday with a pectoral injury, and defensive tackle Maurice Hurst II, who is on injured reserve with a pec injury.

It's the second time in the last four games Walker has missed a game due to injury. He also missed the Week 12 loss at the Denver Broncos due to a hamstring injury.

Walker was originally listed as questionable on Friday afternoon. However, he was ruled out after a brief workout on the field about two-and-a-half hours prior to the game, watched over by head coach Kevin Stefanski, linebackers coach Jason Tarver and others.

Tony Fields Jr. will start in the place of Walker. The Browns are also down reserve linebacker/special teams standout Jordan Kunaszyk, who is out with a calf injury.

The Browns inactive list included injured starters in safety Juan Thornhill (calf), Walker and center Ethan Pocic (stinger). Also inactive due to injury are Kunaszyk and Okoronkwo.

Cornerback Kahlef Hailassie and defensive end Sam Kamara were healthy scratches.

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, Jordan Elliott back, but Anthony Walker Jr. out vs. Bears