Broncos Injury Report: OLB Demarcus Ware to miss two weeks
By Tylor Walden
Sep 13, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware (94) pass rushes in the first quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
It appears as if the first big injury to the Denver Broncos defense has come to surface. Demarcus Ware, the team’s leader in sacks, will miss two weeks with a back strain. Ware exited the game against the Oakland Raiders in the first half.
#Broncos OLB DeMarcus Ware’s back injury, described as a strain, is expected to keep him out about two weeks, per source.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 12, 2015
With this injury, Ware will miss the Broncos’ next game against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.
It is going to be a challenge not having Ware on the field. However, if there ever was a silver lining to this injury, it is that it happened at a good time.
The Broncos have their bye week after the Sunday tilt with the Browns. This means that Ware will have three weeks to heal before the Broncos open up the second half of their season against the Green Bay Packers.
With Ware missing time, we will see a lot of Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett on the field for the Browns game. Ray recorded his first sack of the season against the Vikings and Barrett has been a man on a mission.
Missing two weeks does not institute for “The Sky is Falling” terminology. In fact, I am not worried at all about this injury. The fact that it is happening now rather than in the home stretch of the season for Ware puts my mind at ease.
In fact, the Broncos are pretty banged up after a tough game against the Raiders. With the bye week just around the corner, it will give players a chance for one final push before then. Ware will just take his bye week sooner than anticipated.
This could also help in the long run because of how valuable the veteran edge rusher is to the Broncos. As I have stated earlier, he leads the team in sacks with 4.5. Averaging close to one sack in a game is a solid performance from the veteran. Now Ware will get the much needed early rest he deserves.
Next weekend’s matchup with the Browns will really test how deep this Broncos defense is. We wish you a speedy recovery Demarcus Ware. Hope you are ready to come out of the bye with a force. Go Broncos!