Broncos practice was light on participants for the second straight day.
Defensive end DeMarcus Ware (back), cornerback Aqib Talib (ankle), receiver Demaryius Thomas (neck), guard Evan Mathis (hamstring) and running back Juwan Thompson (hamstring) all sat out Thursday.
Ware was the only one of the five that were not out on the field. He said his back “locked up on him” last Sunday against Oakland.
“DeMarcus has had two good days, but obviously he’s not out here today,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “It would have to be a big step (Friday) for that to happen. We’ll see.
If he’s unable to play, which appears unlikely at this point, outside linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray will be counted on to pick up the slack.
“Barrett will start, yeah. They’re all going to play, but he will be the starter if DeMarcus doesn’t play,” Kubiak said.
Barrett and Ray have two sacks each this season. And Kubiak has raved about each of their play, especially Barrett, a 2014 undrafted free agent who has played lights out since training camp.
“It was part of the plan, but I didn’t envision it like that. I thought I’d be able to be a real good special teams player and be able to contribute like that, but defensively I didn’t think I would be able to get as many snaps as I’ve been getting,” Barrett said.
Thomas, Mathis and Bolden all have lingering injuries that they’ve played through, but with a bye week looming, it’ll be key to check on their status Friday. Thomas, especially, was bothered by his injury in Oakland.
“His neck has been sore. My expectations are that he’ll be ready to go,” Kubiak said. “He went out there (against the Raiders) and gave it up for his team and we’re trying to get him feeling better.”
Thompson is battling a hamstring injury that has limited him to stretching on the sidelines with Thomas and trainers.
Practice squad running back Kapri Bibbs could be in line to be called up, if Thompson is unable to play Sunday.
Bibbs said he’s taken all of the starting reps on special teams and has been more active in the gameplan this week. He said he expects to hear about potentially being promoted by Friday afternoon.
Tackle Ty Sambrailo (shoulder) and receiver Cody Latimer (groin) practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day Thursday. Receiver Bennie Fowler was also limited.
Quarterback Peyton Manning, guard Louis Vasquez and tight end Owen Daniels all returned to practice Thursday after a veteran’s rest day Wednesday.
“It’s tough. We’ve been nicked up front,” Kubiak said. “We try to do what’s right to keep them healthy and keep them going, but at the same time it would probably benefit if we had them out here every day. The key is we need them out here.”
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
