ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold explains the specifics of DeMarcus Ware's injury and when the team will know how long Ware will be out. (0:44)

Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware will undergo surgery Tuesday on his fractured right forearm and is expected to miss four to five weeks, coach Gary Kubiak said Monday.

Ware was cradling his arm as he walked to the sideline with just under 14 minutes to play in the third quarter and was taken to the locker room. The play, an 11-yard scramble by Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, was nullified by a holding penalty on Colts tight end Jack Doyle.

Ware missed much of the team's offseason program, all of training camp and did not play in any of the Broncos' four preseason games because of back troubles. The Broncos made that move to try to get him to the regular season and planned to regulate his snap count during games to try to keep him healthy.

Thanks for all the well wishes to a speedy recovery. Looking forward to being back out there with my guys. #Broncos pic.twitter.com/aplgCihoDT — D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare) September 19, 2016

He missed five games last season with similar back troubles before returning to play well down the stretch and into the postseason. In the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Ware had 1.5 sacks and played 32 of the defense's snaps against the Panthers.

Ware went without a tackle Sunday but was credited with an assist and a half-sack, which tied him with Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers for 11th all time in sacks. Their 136 career sacks lead active players.

ESPN Broncos reporter Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.