Earlier this week, Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said that linebacker DeMarcus Ware might not do any on-field work before the end of the team’s offseason program because of a back injury.
That was a downgrade from previous comments about Ware that indicated the veteran would get in some limited work before the spring was out, but not a surprising one given Ware’s age, recent history of back issues and the chance to get younger players more reps at this point in the offseason. On Wednesday, General Manager John Elway said the team’s cautious approach with Ware will continue beyond offseason work.
“Yeah, there’s always a concern with that,” Elway said, via the Denver Post. “Especially with the back, because you never really know. And he’s such an integral part of it and his leadership qualities, so obviously we’re hopeful he can get that going. We’re going to manage him, and we knew that coming in this year, to take care of him. Yeah, there’s a little bit of a concern there.”
Ware missed five games because of his back last season, but returned to play well at the end of the regular season and throughout the postseason. The back concerns may cause the Broncos to use Ware less often in at least the early part of the season in hope of ensuring he’s around for the stretch run again in 2016.