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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. —** Unable to join his teammates for the season opener, T.J. Ward could only watch from home as the defense closed out the game against Baltimore.
Ward could only tweet his support as the defense stopped Ravens QB Joe Flacco on the final drive.
"It's very difficult," Ward said. "I wanted to be out there but I couldn't, so it is what it is. I'm back now and ready to go."
He was encouraged by the defense's oustanding performance, but not surprised in the least.
"They played how I expected them to," Ward said. "They played how we've been practicing, how we played in the preseason. So I was very proud of how they played."
With the one-game suspension, Ward couldn't join the Broncos at the UCHealth Training Facility. So he worked out with DE Derek Wolfe, who is separated from the team with a four-game suspension. But now Ward is able to rejoin the team.
"The positive is that I'm back and I get to play," Ward said. "That's as good as it gets."
With an eye to the upcoming week, Ward was also able to keep an eye on the Broncos' next opponent, the Chiefs, while he watched Sunday's games from home.
"They're a very good team," he said. "They had a good game last week. I got to watch a lot of games this weekend, so I watched them this weekend and I know they're a good team. They're playing well right now and it's going to be a challenge for us."
From the opening moments of defensive fury to Brandon McManus' field goals to Aqib Talib's TD to Darian Stewart's interception, here are our best photos from Week 1.
OLB DeMarcus Ware gets close to a sack on QB Joe Flacco
CB Aqib Talib stops Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. by his shirttail
RB Ronnie Hillman tries to break a tackle against the Ravens
K Brandon McManus hits his first of four field goals on the day, a 57-yarder.
ILB Brandon Marshall (54) sacks QB Joe Flacco
ILBs Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan celebrate Marshall's sack in the first quarter.
NT Darius Kilgo and DE Vance Walker stops RB Justin Forsett's momentum.
OLB DeMarcus Ware pulls QB Joe Flacco down from behind for a sack.
ILB Danny Trevathan makes a hit on RB Justin Forsett (29)
The Broncos defense converges on Ravens RB Justin Forsett (29)
WR Emmanuel Sanders reaches for a pass
QB Peyton Manning makes a call at the line of scrimmage.
ILB Brandon Marshall (54) sacks QB Joe Flacco (5) as DE Antonio Smith (90) reaches for him.
Ravens WR Steve Smith Sr. returns a punt as LS Aaron Brewer and OLB Shaquil Barrett try to make a tackle
NT Sylvester Williams (92) gets a tackle in the backfield on RB Justin Forsett (29)
CB Aqib Talib reaches the end zone with RB Justin Forsett attempting a tackle in the background.
CB Aqib Talib (21) and S Darian Stewart (26) celebrate after Talib's interception return for a touchdown
RB C.J. Anderson (22) stiff arms a Ravens linebacker
WR Demaryius Thomas (88) leaps over two Ravens defenders
S Darian Stewart (26) falls to the ground with an interception in the closing moments against the Ravens.
Head Coach Gary Kubiak pores over notes against the Ravens
Offensive Line Coach Clancy Barone goes over notes with members of the offensive line
Head Coach Gary Kubiak and S David Bruton Jr. (30) in the locker room after the win over the Ravens.
S Darian Stewart (26) celebrates after the interception to seal the game
