Broncos Week 4 Practice Report: Trio of starters ruled out for second week

For the second time in as many games, the trio of DeMarcus Ware, Virgil Green, and Donald Stephenson has been ruled out for this week’s game in Tampa Bay.

Green, the team’s No. 1 tight end, has been dealing with a glaring calf injury suffered in the Week 2 win against Indianapolis, did not practice the entire week but is still listed as “day-to-day.”

“We want to get him back. We want to get him healthy. It’s something Virgil has been through before,” Kubiak told Denver media. “It was either in OTAs or camp, I don’t even remember. I think it was about an eight, nine-day deal. We’re getting pretty close to that right now. Virgil is known to come back pretty quick. I think we made progress today.”

The positive, however, in the absence of Green is the opportunity for second-year pro Jeff Heuerman to see substantial time on the gridiron after making his NFL debut in the win against Cincinnati; having one reception for 29-yards.

On the contrary, defensive end Robert Ayers, who played in Denver five years, will miss his second game as a Buccaneer after signing a three-year, $19.5 million deal back in March.