WARE EXPECTED TO PRACTICE THIS WEEK

DeMarcus Ware, half of the Broncos’ two-headed sack monster at outside linebacker, probably will return to Broncos practice this week, Denver coach Gary Kubiak said Thursday at Dove Valley. It would be Ware’s first field time since breaking his arm last month.

“The scan we got back was excellent,” Kubiak said of a new set of MRI tests of Ware’s arm.

Ware, whose 7K sacks in 11 games last season trailed only Von Miller‘s 11 for the team lead, broke a bone in his right forearm in a Week 2 victory, on Sept. 18, over the Indianapolis Colts. He later had surgery to repair the break.

The Broncos probably won’t push Ware back into a game until at least Oct. 30, against the San Diego Chargers in Denver, but more likely not until Nov. 6 at Oakland.

Concussion trouble.

While the Broncos received good news on Ware, they are playing more cautious with two others. Left tackle Russell Okung and wide receiver Cody Latimer again did not practice after suffering concussions last week in San Diego.

Okung was carted out of the stadium after the Broncos’ loss to the Chargers and was taken to a local hospital for tests. If he is not available Monday to face the Houston Texans — led by stout defensive end pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney — Okung probably would be replaced by secondyear tackle Ty Sambrailo.

The Broncos benched Sambrailo last week after he struggled replacing Donald Stephenson at right tackle. But Sambrailo’s natural position is on the left side.

“He took some walkthrough, but did not practice,” Kubiak said of Okung. “We’re hoping he’s out here (Friday).”

Coach back in stride.

Kubiak returned Monday after missing a week with what the team said was a complex migraine. And Kubiak said he’s back in his rhythm as coach.

“I’m kind of like these guys, I’m antsy and ready to get back after it,” Kubiak said.

While Kubiak gave his players a day off Wednesday to put them back on a normal schedule before Monday night’s game, he and his assistants used the extra day to continue scouting the Texans. A native of Houston, and the Texans’ coach from 2006-13, Kubiak will face his former team for the first time as Denver’s coach.

Scouting Denver.

The Texans know Denver’s reputation as a run-scheme team. And, not surprisingly, they will prioritize the need to stop the Broncos’ rushing attack.

“Everything plays off that, the play-action, the bootlegs,” Houston coach Bill O’Brien said.