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Update: NFL Network reported on Monday afternoon that Ware will miss two weeks with a back strain. Our original story appears below.
DeMarcus Ware has been having a Defensive-MVP-caliber season, so normally it would be considered a big blow losing that type of player due to injury against a division rival on the road.
However, Denver's Orange Surge defense isn't normal. Ware was missed, but the Broncos are so deep that they hardly missed a step. Shaquil Barrett registered a sack in the second half against Derek Carr, and the pass rush did enough to force Carr into a game-sealing pick six midway through the fourth quarter.
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"We have a lot of guys who can make plays," Ware said, via The Denver Post. "You are seeing that every week."
Ware left the Broncos-Raiders game in the first half, suffering from back spasms and didn't return.
"His back locked up on him, so obviously we're concerned about that," Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said. "We need to get that checked out."
Ware made it sound less serious, a sentiment echoed via David Ramsey of The Colorado Springs Gazette, who reported Ware said he's "fine" and looked okay holding a bag after the game.
"It just locked up on me. I came into the locker room, and I just couldn't get it to loosen up," Ware said. "But I don't think it's going to be anything that would keep me out."
Aqib Talib returns following ankle roll
Cornerback Aqib Talib left the game for a decent portion of the 2nd half, but he returned for the final few defensive series that included Chris Harris Jr.'s pick-six.
"What a great play. That's what this secondary does — make plays," Talib told The Denver Post. "I am not going anywhere. I will be back out there. It was just a basketball roll. I will be fine."
Juwan Thompson rests his hamstring
Broncos running back Juwan Thompson suffered a hamstring injury in the win and did not return. Thompson had been serving as special teams captain for the Broncos in Week 5. Kubiak did not offer an update on Thompson's status or his likelihood to play in Week 6.