Denver Broncos

Broncos planning to keep DeMarcus Ware off the field until camp

Published May. 31, 2016 4:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Denver Broncos won’t be taking any offseason chances with pass rusher DeMarcus Ware’s lingering back problems.

Coach Gary Kubiak told reporters after Tuesday’s practice that Ware might not do any more on-field work until training camp starts in July.

#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

A week ago, Kubiak said Ware would be day-to-day after he missed the first day of OTAs.

“I would tell you it’s probably more preventative than anything,’’ he told reporters last Tuesday. “He’s going to be a day-to-day participant. … We’ll probably make decisions on DeMarcus day to day on how he’s feeling.”

Ware, 33, was selected to the Pro Bowl for the ninth time last season despite being limited to 11 games by back issues. He had 6.5 sacks in his first seven games but just one more in the regular season before picking up 3.5 more in three playoff games. He took a pay cut from $10.5 million to $6.5 million to return in 2016 for the defending Super Bowl champs, and the Broncos need him to be at full health to remain one of the key pass rushers on a top-ranked defense that led the NFL with 52 sacks last season.