Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware practiced for the second straight day with a smile on his face.
He had missed the previous three games and four total with a back injury. Ware said he’s not sure if he will be able to play Sunday against San Diego, but he is eager to get back on the field.
“You don’t want to compete at 80 percent. You always want to compete at 100 percent,” Ware said. “It’s been a little more cautious. You can go out there and perform at 80, but the thing is how long will 80 last?”
The team will also be more cautious with Ware’s return. He missed two weeks, one game, with the initial injury against Oakland, then played 34 snaps against Green Bay and 30 snaps against Indianapolis before aggravating the same injury.
“He looked much better today. I think he’ll keep taking steps here, but much improved over yesterday. So we’ll keep going, no pressure there,” Kubiak said. “As he works his way back, we have a plan in place for how he comes back. DeMarcus isn’t going to go play 70 plays in the game he comes back.”
Ware said he didn’t want to feel limited in what positions he could rush out of or how he could move. He said this is a process and he doesn’t want to rush back. Recovery isn’t what it used to be.
“Mother nature takes its toll. Your body wears down a little bit,” Ware, 33, said. “Sometimes injuries strike. So you have to make sure you get back the right way because your body can be a little bit more fragile or takes a little bit more time to heal.”
Ware said he knows the time off will make him fresher for the stretch run.
He praised the performance of outside linebackers Shaquil Barrett and Shane Ray, who he called the “dirty duo”, in his absence. Ware said he has spent even more time coaching the two while he has been out.
Even with the youngsters stepping up, Ware will be a tremendous boost to the Broncos when he is able to return. Outside linebacker Von Miller said he and Ware are going to wreck opposing quarterbacks upon Ware’s return.
The potentially good news for Ware was coupled by two other Broncos’ starters battling through their injuries.
Nose tackle Sylvester Williams (ankle) and T.J. Ward (ankle) did not practice Thursday. Neither is expected to play Sunday against San Diego. Kubiak said Wednesday that Williams was a little ahead of Ward in recovery.
David Bruton is expected to start for Ward as he did earlier this season. Defensive end Vance Walker is expected to get the majority of the snaps in place of Williams.
Guards Louis Vasquez (groin) and Evan Mathis (ankle) were limited participants Thursday. Vasquez missed Wednesday’s practice, but Kubiak said he had made enough progress to do some work on the field.
Vasquez also took some extra reps after practice with rookie guard Max Garcia, who had the best game of the season in his first career start Sunday. The two appeared to work on some technique and leverage.
Receiver Cody Latimer and linebacker Corey Nelson returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday due to being the in the hospital preparing to be fathers.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
