The Broncos practiced without linebacker DeMarcus Ware during their bye week as he rested a knee injury suffered in Week 17 of the regular season.
An MRI came back without picking up any sign of a serious injury, which left Ware and the team feeling good about his ability to be in the lineup for the divisional round. Those feelings didn’t take a turn for the worse over the weekend while the Broncos were finding out that they’d be facing the Steelers.
Ware was back on the practice field Monday as the Broncos began their on-field work ahead of Sunday’s home game against Pittsburgh, which leaves little doubt that he will be trying to pressure Ben Roethlisberger, Landry Jones or anyone else who might take a snap at quarterback.
Quarterback Brock Osweiler also missed practice time for the Broncos last week because of a knee injury, but he joined Ware as a participant in Monday’s session. The Broncos have already named Peyton Manning as their starter for this weekend, but Osweiler would give them a more comfortable alternative than rookie Trevor Siemian in the event they have to make a move due to injury or ineffectiveness.
Safety Darian Stewart and cornerback Chris Harris didn’t practice Monday and the Broncos consider Stewart’s hamstring injury “the more serious” concern as they move toward the game.