Veteran outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware was placed on injured reserve and will undergo back surgery, ending his season a week early and likely ending his tenure as a Bronco.
Ware aggravated his back last season and missed the entire offseason and preseason to try to recover. Although he didn’t miss time this season because of the injury — he instead missed five games with a forearm injury — Gary Kubiak said Wednesday that “there are some things that he’s been playing through that are bothering him a little bit more than normal right now.”
As he faces yet another surgery to close out the final year on his contract, Ware, 34, might have played the last snap of his career, although he indicated on Twitter Wednesday that he hopes to return for season No. 13.
“Pedal is always to the metal and fuel is still in the tank,” he tweeted, with the hashtag #VroomVroom.
Pedal is always to the metal and fuel is still in the tank.
— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare)
In 10 games this season (eight starts), Ware had four sacks for a loss of 22 yards, plus eight quarterback hits and 15 total tackles. In his 12 seasons combined, the nine-time Pro Bowler amassed 138.5 career sacks to rank eighth in NFL history and second among active players. He also ranks second in NFL history with a sack rate of 0.78 per game throughout his career, trailing only Hall of Fame defensive end Reggie White (0.85 per game).
² with the Broncos in 2014 as part of general manager John Elway’s defensive overhaul following the team’s blowout loss to Seattle in Super Bowl XLVIII, joining veteran safety T.J. Ward and cornerback Aqib Talib as newcomers.
“People talk about us trying to buy a defense and this and that, but all those guys we brought in fit in great,” . “The overall philosophy I’m proud of — play great defense and continue to try to get better on the offensive side. … You never know how they’re going to mold together, but those guys — especially with DeMarcus and his leadership ability — everything just molded.”
²not only keyed the Broncos’ defensive transformation but also aided in the development and maturation of fellow outside linebacker Von Miller.
“DeMarcus was a great role model for Von,” Elway said. “We knew what Von could do and we knew the physical talent he had. Obviously, he had some bumps in the road there, but thatap going to happen to some guys. They’re young. So I think DeMarcus was a guy we thought, no question, would be a great role model for Von to get him to see what it takes to be great, what it takes to be a leader and start creating that legacy for Von.”
When Ware arrived, Miller was coming off a season shortened because of a drug-policy suspension and knee surgery. In the years since, Miller, who has spoken often of his admiration and respect for Ware, has transformed into the Broncos’ Super Bowl MVP and one of — if not the — top defenders in the game.
“Itap just like having the Karate Kid and Mr. Miyagi,” Miller said in October, before Ware’s return from the elbow injury. “Itap just when you have that type of wisdom around and you have that type of poise and he’s just always calm, no matter what the situation is. He always has great advice. He’s always knows the direction to go and he has the vision for our outside linebacker room. He’s definitely a leader for us. When you have your leaders around, it makes everything go a lot smoother.”
After Super Bowl 50, Ware made it clear he wanted to play again, saying then too that he has “a lot of gas left in the tank,” even after a trying season with the back injury. To stay in Denver, he agreed to restructure the final year on his deal and lower his salary-cap hit.
But with his contract about to expire and his 12th season in the books, Ware’s time as a Bronco and possibly as an NFL linebacker may have expired, too.
