Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior Writer 8y

DeMarcus Ware not expected to play against Patriots

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Denver Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware will miss his third consecutive game Sunday night when the Broncos face the New England Patriots, and guard Evan Mathis remains a significant question mark as well.

Ware, who has worked with the team’s strength and conditioning staff the last two days including during the team’s Thanksgiving day practice, has made some progress in his recovery from a lower back injury, but not enough to participate in practice.

As a result, the Broncos plan at the moment is for Ware to be held out of Sunday’s game. It will be the third consecutive game he has missed and fourth overall this season since injuring his back just before halftime of the Broncos' win over the Raiders last month in Oakland. Ware missed the next game, played against the Green Bay Packers then re-injured his back in the loss in Indianapolis and has not played since.

Ware still leads the team in sacks, with 6.5.

“I think I knew he would not be out there,’’ coach Gary Kubiak said after Thursday’s practice. “ … He did work, continues some work … was back in the weight room. I think he’s close, think he’s making some progress. There’s still some steps for him to take, but I think we have taken some positive steps this week.’’

Mathis, who was injured in the Broncos’ win in Chicago on Sunday, did not practice on Thursday and has not practiced this week. If Mathis does not play against the Patriots, and he would have to improve significantly in the next three days, rookie Max Garcia would be in the lineup.

New England is second in the league in sacks – behind the Broncos – with 32. Patriots linebacker Chandler Jones is also second in the league with 10.5 sacks.

Also Thursday wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders was a limited participant in practice but appears to be on track to play at least some Sunday night. Tight Owen Daniels (knee) and defensive end Vance Walker (shoulder) were also limited.

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