DENVER -- DeMarcus Ware was too good for his own good. He broke into the Colts' backfield then ended up with a broken bone. Ware fractured the ulna bone in his right forearm Sunday, casting doubt about his availability going forward.
Ware exited the locker room with his arm in a sling and a cast up his arm to prevent the bone from shifting. Another exam is required Monday before he knows his next step. If surgery is needed to stabilize the bone, Ware will miss time. If not, he could potentially play with the arm protected, though he's not expected to be available Sunday at Cincinnati.
"If DWare can't go, then we will have to step up," said outside linebacker Shane Ray, who redeemed himself with a scoop-and-score after missing out on two sacks by his estimation.
Coach Gary Kubiak remained cautious. He will let the symptoms dictate the plan. Ware, 34, is the team's defensive captain, but is on a play count as a concession to his back injury. Tight end Virgil Green and right tackle Donald Stephenson also suffered calf injuries. Green told Denver7 he hopes to play this week, but left the locker room in a boot on his left foot and will undergo an MRI on Monday.
"It just grabbed," Green said. "We will see. I want to be out there."
An odd, violent play sidelined Ware, who left the locker room in a good mood, anxious to see what doctors tell him Monday.
Ware zeroed in on Colts quarterback Andrew Luck for a sack on Indianapolis' first possession of the second half, but Luck spun out of his grasp. As Ware’s body twisted, Von Miller, charging for the quarterback, ran his helmet into Ware’s right forearm and upper body. With forces coming off opposite edges, collisions can happen, especially given Miller's warp speed on Sunday. In a performance that should earn him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, Miller finished with three sacks, a tackle for a loss and caused fumble. Ware took a knee after smashing into Miller then walked off the field under his own power. Ware headed to the locker room moments later where an on-site exam revealed the fracture.
Ware has a history with injuries, dictating his current playing time. He missed five games last year because of the back issue, including missing the preseason, but returned with a vengeance in the playoffs. His pressure helped the Broncos eclipse the Patriots and ultimately win Super Bowl 50 over Carolina. Ware began this season on a play count of 30-to-35 per game. He appeared in 32 in the opener, a pace he was on Sunday before his injury. Former Colorado State star Shaquil Barrett replaced Ware. The Broncos are one of few teams which own the depth to withstand Ware's absence, if necessary. Ray and Barrett are emerging players and Dekoda Watson provides experience. The Broncos also have raw talent in Vontarrius Dora on the practice squad.
The Broncos lost Stephenson in the first half Sunday to a left calf injury. It led originally to Darrion Weems to replace him. Weems then moved inside to right guard, shifting Michael Schofield to right tackle, where he started 13 games a year ago.
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