Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who injured his back Sunday against the Raiders, won't play in Week 6 against the Browns, ESPN.com reported Tuesday, citing an unidentified source.
Source: #Broncos plan to hold out DeMarcus Ware vs. #Browns, use bye week to let him overcome back problems, re-evaluate for #Packers game
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) October 13, 2015MORE: Opening lines | Josh McCown giving Browns getting exactly what they need
Ware's injury Sunday originally was described as back spasms. He was listed as questionable to return against the Raiders, but he didn't play again.
Rookie Shane Ray, who has two sacks and is listed behind Ware on the team's depth chart, has big shoes to fill. Ware has 4 1/2 sacks, tied for second in the NFL, for the Broncos' top-rated defense, which faces a challenge on the road this week.
The Browns are 2-3, but quarterback Josh McCown is coming off a franchise-record game in a win over the Ravens.
In his three games back after a Week 1 concussion, McCown has averaged 385.7 passing yards and completed 68 percent of his passes, with six touchdown passes and one interception. Against the Ravens, he threw for a franchise-record 457 yards.
The Broncos (5-0) have their bye after Sunday's game in Cleveland, giving Ware more time to recover before Denver's next game.
