DeMarcus Ware has back problems.
He missed five games last season. Now, those issues are already flaring up for the soon-to-be 34-year-old pass rushing linebacker.
According to Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, Ware might even miss all, or most, of OTAs.
#Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said after practice today because of back troubles @DeMarcusWare may not do on-field work w/team until camp.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) May 31, 2016
Kubiak said DeMarcus Ware will probably miss most of OTAs, but he's hopeful they can get a couple sessions out of him.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) May 31, 2016
And that means Ware's condition has either worsened or failed to improve. Exactly a week ago, Ware was considered day-to-day.
"I would tell you it's probably more preventative than anything,'' Kubiak said, via 9News. "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."
Last year, Ware maintained a productive level of play in his 11th season, tallying 7.5 sacks in 11 games. He added 3.5 quarterback takedowns in the playoffs. Ware then accepted a $3.5 million paycut this offseason.
He also shot down the idea that he's retiring any time soon.
"I got a lot of gas in the tank," Ware said in February, per NFL.com. "Von (Miller) was the one that added the gas to the fire for me, so that's why I'm playing the way I'm playing right now. I don't think about retiring. God still wants me to play, that's why I'm still doing what I'm doing."
By the sound of it, though, his back might be an issue again this year. Considering the Broncos lost valuable contributors in Danny Trevathan and Malik Jackson, they'll need Ware operating at a high level. Otherwise, look for the team to lean more on Shane Ray, its first-round pick a year ago. Ray recorded four sacks last season.
The Broncos won the Super Bowl last season thanks to their pass rush, which overwhelmed Tom Brady and Cam Newton in consecutive games. With their quarterback situation still in flux -- Mark Sanchez isn't any good, and Paxton Lynch might need some time to develop -- the Broncos will need their defense to continue their dominant run, which makes Ware's problematic back a situation worth monitoring as the summer portion of the offseason begins.
