According to the Denver Post, the Broncos are expected to pursue free agent SS T.J. Ward when the market opens Tuesday.

As we suspected. Denver is needy at strong safety, and Broncos exec Tom Heckert drafted Ward in Cleveland. The Broncos also have quite a bit of cap (roughly $25 million) for a team commonly perceived as old. Ward turned 27 in December. He is a difference-making run defender and not a liability in coverage.

The National Football Post reports "about a dozen NFL teams" have expressed interest in or inquired about free agent SS T.J. Ward since the negotiating period began on Saturday.

We don't doubt Ward has drawn a lot of interest, but the only team specifically reported to have reached out is the Detroit Lions. Ward is Rotoworld's No. 2 free agent safety, just behind Jairus Byrd and ahead of Donte Whitner.

The Lions have inquired about free agent SS T.J. Ward.

Ward's market seemed to be rather slow on day one of the negotiating period, but we still expect him to land a sizable long-term deal. He's a 27-year-old tone setter in the secondary. Ward would replace Louis Delmas in Detroit.

Free agent T.J. Ward's player rep says he's had "detailed contract discussions" with the Browns.

Ward's rep says the sides have had extensive talks since the Combine, and that Ward "(remains) open to further discussions." It sounds like a deal could still be struck before Tuesday's official start of free agency, but that Ward is ready to hit the open market after he wasn't franchise tagged. The sides' exclusive negotiating window ends Saturday.

The Browns have begun efforts to re-sign free agent SS T.J. Ward.

Per ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi, Ward and free agent C Alex Mack are the "top priorities" for new GM Ray Farmer. The franchise tag for safeties will be $8.021 million. Teams have from now until March 3 to use the tag, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport stated last week that he'd be "surprised" if the Browns didn't tag Ward. Mack is going to require a long-term commitment.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport would be "surprised" if the Browns didn't use the franchise tag on free agent SS T.J. Ward.

ESPN Cleveland is "getting a sense" the Brows may use the franchise tag on impending free agent SS T.J. Ward.

Ward and Jairus Byrd highlight the potential free-agent safety market. Ward graded out as a top-three safety at Pro Football Focus this past season and was the site's No. 1 safety in terms of stopping the run. Ward's a hard-hitting, in-the-box safety who has already expressed a desire to remain in Cleveland. He and C Alex Mack are the Browns' most likely candidates for the tag.

Impending free agent SS T.J. Ward hopes to re-sign with the Browns.

"I definitely want to be back,'' Ward said. "I like my team. I love my teammates. I love being in this city. I love the organization. We haven't had many wins, but I think we're building something here, and I think it's being built the right way." Ward's gushing did not stop there. Ward is in the midst of another strong season, grading out as Pro Football Focus' No. 4 safety while racking up 105 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two interceptions. His interest in staying in Cleveland is almost certainly mutual. Ward is a strong candidate for the franchise tag.

T.J. Ward blamed the league's rules for his low hit that reportedly tore Rob Gronkowski's ACL in Week 14.

Ward has already been fined three times in his career for high hits. So he aimed for Gronk's legs with his shoulder and connected. "When [the NFL] set the rule, everyone knew what was going to happen," Ward said. "This can happen if you have those types of situations. It's pretty much inevitable, and they forced our hand with this one."

Browns SS T.J. Ward (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Week 2.

Ward practiced on a limited basis Friday and will likely come down to a game-time decision. Josh Aubrey will start at strong safety if Ward is ruled out.

T.J. Ward confirmed that the Browns have yet to approach him about a contract extension.

Ward is set to make $630,000 in the final year of his rookie deal and is not expected to be signed to a long-term contract before the start of the season. "I'm not really focused on that," Ward said. "If they offer something, then that's great. Right now I'm looking forward to this season. We'll see what happens after that."

Browns SS T.J. Ward likes new defensive coordinator Ray Horton's aggressive style.

"It's an attack style, all downhill. We're really getting after the guys. That's what I'm most excited about," said Ward. He also remarked that learning Horton's defenses has created chemistry in the Browns defensive unit. Ward hasn't made it through a full season since his breakout rookie campaign in 2010. If he can stay healthy, Ward has a high IDP ceiling in the Browns' new scheme.

The Browns are not expected to prioritize a contract extension for FS T.J. Ward.

Ward has one year left on his rookie deal, but the Browns will likely use their remaining cap space to get Alex Mack and Joe Haden signed to long-term contracts. A second-round pick in 2010, Ward has a history of injury concerns and is unproven in DC Ray Horton's scheme. Montario Hardesty, John Greco, and Shawn Lauvao are also set to hit free agency in the final year of their current deals.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer says the Browns "may look into" extending the contracts of SS T.J. Ward and CB Joe Haden.

Cleveland has a ton of cap room, and they're expected to use some of it to lock up their young players entering the final years of their rookie deals. Toss center Alex Mack into the discussion, too. Haden has two years left on his rookie contract, and he and Ward are two players new DC Ray Horton is expected to build around.

Browns SS T.J. Ward's 2013 salary jumped from $575,000 to $630,000 based on rookie-deal incentives.

Ward was a monster in his 2010 rookie season, tallying a whopping 123 tackles and ten passes defensed. In 2012, he graded out as Pro Football Focus' No. 6 overall safety after recording 68 tackles. Ward isn't scared to get his nose dirty as a run defender, and he enjoys laying the wood on opposing receivers. Ward is a candidate for a contract extension this offseason, and he should excel in new DC Ray Horton's aggressive defense.

Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton says he's "excited" to coach SS T.J. Ward and praised his tackling skills.

Horton has coached Troy Polamalu, Ryan Clark, Adrian Wilson, and Kerry Rhodes, and Ward can be his next great safety. "What I see in T.J. is a player that's dynamic in the run game; a player that's going to get better because he will hit," Horton said. "He will hit you." Ward will return as a top IDP defensive back in 2013.

Browns SS T.J. Ward is done for the season with a bone bruise in his knee.

He's expected to be placed on injured reserve. Ward recorded 68 tackles, four passes defensed, one interception, and one sack in 14 starts this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he was the NFL's premier safety in run support while ranking fifth overall. It's a big loss for the Browns secondary. Ward will enter the final year of his rookie contract in 2013.

Browns SS T.J. Ward sustained a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Redskins.

Ward went down in the third quarter and was unable to return. Before the injury, he had five tackles and an interception.

Browns SS T.J. Ward (thumb surgery) has resumed practicing.

Ward is sporting a black cast at practice. It looks like he's on track to play with the "club" on his hand versus the Giants this week.

Browns SS T.J. Ward is day-to-day after undergoing thumb surgery.

Ward injured his thumb in Thursday's loss, and had a plate and six screws inserted during his operation. Ward has been a beast against the run this season, racking up 27 tackles and a sack. It would be surprising if he sat out against the Giants.