Broncos place DeMarcus Ware, Kayvon Webster on injured reserve

The seasons for Denver Broncos defenders DeMarcus Ware and Kayvon Webster ended one game early, as the club placed the linebacker and cornerback on injured reserve.

With a somewhat meaningless game, at least in terms of playoff implications for Denver, the Broncos shelved the veteran pass rusher, who’s been dealing with back problems, and the defensive back, who’s currently in the concussion protocol.

“DeMarcus’ back is bothering him. We’ll have him looked at right here, and we’ll have to make a decision at some point,” head coach Gary Kubiak said ahead of the announcement of Ware being placed on IR on Wednesday. “There are some things that he’s been playing through that are bothering him a little bit more than normal right now.”

Ware did not speak with the media Wednesday, but he did tweet:

Pedal is always to the metal and fuel is still in the tank. #VroomVroom

— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) December 28, 2016

Mike Klis, 9News Broncos Insider, said Wednesday that the injury means we could have possibly seen the final game for Ware in orange and blue — and possibly his Hall of Fame-worth career.

Could mean the end of DeMarcus Ware in Denver, but he has said he would like to play one more year. #9sports

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) December 28, 2016

In three years with the Broncos, Ware’s played in 37 games, recording 21.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.

In February, Ware earned his first world championship with a victory in Super Bowl 50.

However, the 34-year-old has been plagued by injure over the past two seasons, playing in just 11 and 10 games in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

A back infection forced Ware to miss the Broncos offseason ahead of the 2016 campaign, and he fractured his right forearm in Game 2 against the Indianapolis colts.

Currently, Ware sits 8th in career sacks at 138.5, just one behind Jason Taylor and three back of Michael Strahan.

In corresponding moves, the Broncos activated cornerback Taurean Nixon and nose tackle Kyle Peko to the active roster and signed offensive lineman Reese Dismukes, defensive lineman Iosia Iosia, and wide receiver Hunter Sharpe to the practice squad.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.