Rough week: Broncos suffer another injury on their defensive line

The Denver Broncos must really want the season to start —€” not just so they can defend their Super Bowl title, but also because they've been dropping like flies.

Defensive end Derek Wolfe had to be helped off the field Wednesday after suffering an ankle injury while scrimmaging against the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Gary Kubiak said Wolfe rolled it and didn't indicate if he would miss any time.

The Broncos' other starting defensive end, Vance Walker, was lost for the season this week after tearing his right ACL during drills Monday.

"That's scary, especially with Vance going down," Broncos safety T.J. Ward said of Wolfe's injury. "I hope he's all right, but, man, that was a tough one."

The defense already had been on the mend entering this week. Linebacker DeMarcus Ware (back problems) has been sidelined, though Kubiak says he's close to returning, as has cornerback Aqib Talib, who's still recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered during the offseason (and which still is being investigated). Kubiak said the goal is to have Talib play in the third preseason game, against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.