Broncos Week 3 Practice Report: Key cogs staying home

The Denver Broncos will travel for the first time this season this week, and they’ll be doing so without DeMarcus Ware, Virgil Green or Donald Stephenson. All three players have been listed as out for the matchup with a Bengals squad coming off a hard loss to division rival Pittsburgh, they will stay home to receive treatment while their teammates make the trip.

Ware underwent surgery earlier in the week to repair a broken forearm which could sideline the veteran for up to six weeks, even though defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is a tad more optimistic.

“I’m hoping next week, but they said four to six weeks,” Phillips told media this week. “We’ll have to see what the doctor said, but I know he’ll come back when he can.”

Even with Ware being ruled out, coaches and staff are feeling secure about his replacement, Shane Ray.

“I think he’s getting better all of the time. He’s working at it and I like the way he came in this year—his attitude,” the defensive coordinator said about Ray. “He’s already made some plays that he didn’t make last year so I think he’s improved. He keeps working at it; I think he’ll keep improving.”

Green, on the other hand, is dealing with a calf injury suffered in the first half in the win against Indianapolis, his absence opens the door for the debut of former second-round pick Jeff Heuerman.

“Jeff can do a lot. He’s a very bright kid,” Head Coach Gary Kubiak said after Fridays practice. “He’s capable of working on the line of scrimmage; he’s capable of beating man coverage. That’s the good thing. I think  [John] Phillips has really helped him, too—his veteran presence. You just sit here and keep your fingers crossed for Jeff.”

He’s been battling his tail off to be a part of this thing and he’s going back pretty close to where he went to school (Ohio State),” Kubiak added. “It’s going to be a big weekend for him, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed through tomorrow and put him to work.”

Here is a look at Cincinnati’s report as well.