The Broncos defense is a man down after the first drive of the game.
Defensive end Robert Ayers needed medical attention after helping to bring down Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray on a two-yard run in the first quarter. Trainers looked at Ayers for a short time on the field before helping him to the sideline.
The Broncos have announced that his return is questionable because of a shoulder injury. Ayers has 3.5 sacks this year for the Broncos, so his loss would be a blow to the pass rush.
That pass rush wasn’t doing much on Dallas’ first drive. Tony Romo was 5-of-5 for 64 yards on the drive and ended it with a one-yard touchdown to Dez Bryant as Bryant tiptoed to remain in bounds.
UPDATE 5:07 p.m. ET: Ayers returned and had a sack of Romo late in the first quarter. Linebacker Wesley Woodyard needed medical attention after going down on the same play, however.