Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware’s return brought excitement to players and coaches leading up to the game.
He came back Sunday against Oakland, but he wasn’t on the field much. Ware played 15 of the Broncos’ 57 defensive snaps, usually coming in only in obvious passing situations.
Ware had missed the previous four games and five total this season with a back injury. Coach Gary Kubiak said throughout the week that the team would have a game plan in place regarding Ware’s playing time.
That number will likely steadily increase as Ware gets more comfortable with playing since he aggravated a back injury.
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos really struggled to produce any time of push up front especially in the second half.
• Right tackle Michael Schofield, who allowed the majority of Khalil Mack’s five sacks of quarterback Brock Osweiler, played all 80 snaps. Tyler Polumbus, who has played one snap in the last three games, could be in store for more playing time if Kubiak decides changes are needed at that right tackle spot.
• At guard, Louis Vasquez and Evan Mathis were both healthy enough to get the start. Still, the snap counts told the true story. Rookie guard Max Garcia, who had started the last two games, played 70 of 80 (88 percent) offensive snaps. Vasquez played 78 percent and Mathis played just 35 percent.
Whether he’s listed there or not, it’s obvious the Broncos’ coaches believe Garcia deserves starter playing time.
The injury bug cost the Broncos some key starters Sunday against Oakland. Here’s a look at some of the main injured spots and who stepped up to fill the playing time.
• With C.J. Anderson out at running back, Ronnie Hillman took the field for 69 percent of the offensive snaps. Juwan Thompson played 32 percent.
• Darian Stewart held down the fort playing his normal allotment of snaps at one safety position, but with T.J. Ward, David Bruton and Omar Bolden all out the other safety position was split between Josh Bush and Shiloh Keo.
Bush played 44 of 57 defensive snaps, but he only accounted for one tackle. Keo, who was signed just five days before game day, played 32 percent of the snaps and did not show up on the stat sheet. He was, however, .
With Ward, Bolden and Bruton set to return soon, the snap counts of both Bush and Keo should decrease or be eliminated completely in the coming weeks.
CHEW ON THIS
• The , columnist Woody Paige writes.
• The loss to Raiders could , columnist Mark Kiszla writes.
• Former NFL running back .
• The Avs won 3-1 over the Blues on Sunday, improving their mark against the Central division to 6-2.
WATCH THIS
Oklahoma City Thunder’s .
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Former Major League first baseman Bill Buckner turns 66. Although he collected more than 2,700 hits over his career and was a batting champion, Buckner is best remembered — especially by Boston fans — for his .
Cameron Wolfe: cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
