Broncos' veteran pass rusher DeMarcus Ware will miss four to five weeks as he recovers from surgery to repair the ulna fracture he suffered in Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts.
Denver head coach Gary Kubiak confirmed the news Monday. Ware is expected to undergo surgery Tuesday.
Ware, 34, has two sacks in two games this year. He missed the entire offseason because of a back injury.
His absence gives young linebackers Shane Ray and Shaquille Barrett the chance to step up. Ray scored the game-sealing touchdown Sunday.
Offensive lineman Donald Stephenson will also miss two to three weeks with a calf issue, according to the Denver Post.
An MRI revealed that Stephenson didn't sustain a tear in the calf, so that's good news for Denver. Stephenson left the locker room wearing a walking boot Sunday.
Stephenson's absence leaves a hole to fill at right tackle. Michael Schofield, the team's starting right guard, slid over to tackle when Stephenson left the game.
Injuries are a fact of life in the NFL. The Broncos are dealing with their first two significant ones of 2016.
