Demarcus Ware: Should the Broncos be Worried About His Back?

Broncos LB Demarcus Ware was held out of OTA’s this week due to soreness in his back. How much concern should the Broncos have about this lingering issue?

Demarcus Ware was an absolutely dominant force throughout the course of the 2015 season; at least the portion of the season that he was able to play in.

Through the first four weeks of last year, Demarcus was an early favorite for Defensive Player of the Year, but in a week 5 bout with the Raiders, Ware had to leave the game with a back injury.  He sat out the week 6 game vs. Cleveland, and returned in week 8 against the Packers after the bye week and quickly returned to early season form, contributing a strip sack that resulted in a safety.

However, the next week in Indianapolis, the back issue resurfaced and he was forced to sit out the next four games, and returned on a very limited basis during week 14 against the Raiders.  In week 16, with a playoff berth on the line, Ware came up huge in overtime with his first signature play since returning from the injury, recovering an A.J. McCarron fumble in overtime to seal the win for the Broncos, and send them to the playoffs.

In the playoffs, Super Bowl MVP Von Miller was the one who received the headlines for his remarkle run, however Demarcus was an absolute animal as well.  In three games, Ware totaled 10 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 3 tackles for a loss, a key fumble recovery, and a whopping 12 QB hits.  That is insane production from a guy

who isn’t even considered the best defender on his team.  It certainly seemed his back was feeling just fine during this playoff run, but now, nearly four months removed from this stellar postseason run, the back issue seems to have resurfaced.
Ware was held out of OTA’s this week do to some soreness in his back.  When asked about Ware on Tuesday, Coach Kubiak had this to say:

"“His back is bothering him a little bit, but I would tell you it’s probably more preventative than anything. He’s going to be a day-to-day participant. I’m going to have about 10 guys that are going to go every other day. We’ll probably make decisions on DeMarcus day to day on how he’s feeling.”"

While it doesn’t seem too serious, it doesn’t seem like promising news either.  Ware is currently in the middle of an offseason, not an NFL season grind so there is definitely cause for concern.  Will he be able to stay healthy for an entire season?  These concerns were echoed by defensive coordinator Wade Phillips on Thursday:

"“Sure, there is concern because he was out several games last year. When you look at him, he had a tremendous year, too, and in the playoffs he was a monster also. We know he can still play if he’s healthy. They’re working on that. They feel good about it, so he’s feeling better now. Hopefully he’ll be fine. But it’s always a concern with any player that’s had an injury problem before.”"

The Broncos do have a plan though.  When Ware agreed to take  a pay cut earlier in the offseason, the goal was to also drastically reduce his role in order to keep him fresh.  The Broncos are going to lean even heavier on youngsters Shaq Barrett and Shane Ray, while primary utilizing Ware as a third down pass rusher, as opposed to an every down player.  The former first rounder Ray figures to be the be the man to pick up the majority of the slack, as I know the Broncos expect a huge leap from year one to year two.  Phillips seems to be on board with that sentiment, and had this to say when asked about Ray taking that next step:

"“We know he’s got talent. Being able to utilize it—we gave him the same thing. We gave him things that we felt like he could do to get better. His attitude has been tremendous, and I think that’s a real key for him. When you come in and you’re a first-round pick, and you’ve got [OLB] DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller playing out there in front of you, and you’re not the starter, I think it’s a little tougher mentally. But he’s come through that with shining colors and I think he’s ready to step up his game.”"

If Shane Ray can become the type of player that the Broncos think he can, then keeping Ware fresh should be an easy task.  Ultimately, the goal for the Broncos is going to be to have Ware ready for another postseason run.  If they can keep him healthy,

they will be able to unleash the beast for another three to four game stretch.  The hope is that their plan to keep him fresh will allow him to produce the way he did in the 2015 postseason.  The Broncos don’t play for regular season accolades, they play for championships, and my understanding is Ware is on board with this plan, and feels the same way.

So long as Demarcus is suiting up for the Broncos week in and week out, the leadership alone that he provides is going a key factor, and in the regular season will probably far outweigh the actual production he brings on the field.  While Von Miller is the best player on the team, and the player that makes the whole thing work, Ware is the steady presence that keeps the train on the tracks, and keeps the minds in the right place.

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This is the role he will play in 2016, and if he can add in a few key sacks here and there, and gear up for another Super Bowl run, I believe the Broncos will be thrilled.  So while Broncos Country should be a little bit concerned, I think ultimately the plan that they have in place for Ware will allow the back to be a non-issue, and that the depth that they have will allow them to execute this plan to perfection.

This year could be the last rodeo for the 33 year old Ware, and the Broncos are going to try and send him out the way they sent Peyton Manning out; hoisting that Lombardi in February.