ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- After waiting six weeks until his fractured left forearm had healed and he could get back on the field, Denver Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware had a snap count in mind for his first game back on Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.

But in a tight game in the fourth quarter, snap counts were an afterthought when he was flagged for an offside penalty.

DeMarcus Ware played 26 snaps on defense in Sunday's win over the Chargers. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sport

“I played actually a little bit more than I thought I would,’’ Ware said after the Broncos’ 27-19 victory. “It was one of the plays that pissed me off a little bit, and I stayed out there a little longer than I should, but when you talk trash a little bit, sometimes it wakes up the monster, and that’s what I feel like. It heightens my senses a little bit and played a little bit harder.’’

In all, Ware played 26 snaps on defense, mostly on third downs. That was the case until there were 2 minutes, 54 seconds left in the game and the Chargers were driving, while the Broncos were protecting that eight-point lead.

On a 7-yard completion from Philip Rivers to tight end Hunter Henry that moved the ball to the Broncos’ 2-yard line, Ware was whistled for being in the neutral zone. The penalty was declined by the Chargers, but it was still a call that, shall we say, Ware slightly disagreed with, and he let referee Tony Corrente know about it. He then -- uncharacteristically -- got in a heated exchange with Rivers before the next play.

“I am only supposed to play third down, and there was a couple plays guys started talking trash and I was like, ‘Well, then I guess I need to stay out here and take the trash out’,’’ Ware said. “That’s how I felt. I stayed out there a couple plays, and we were able to get a big stop on the goal line.’’

The Broncos forced four consecutive incomplete passes from Rivers and prevented a touchdown. Ware made it through the game without any issues with his arm, so a unit that already led the league in sacks and pass defense while he was out now has another way to frazzle quarterbacks.

Ware is expected to play predominantly on passing downs moving forward, and his snap count should increase slightly if he and the Broncos believe he came through Sunday’s game without any issues. Ware, playing with a heavily wrapped pad on his left forearm, had one hit on Rivers.

“My arm felt really good,’’ Ware said. “I think I just have to get used to doing a lot of my power moves again, getting my strength back. From a pain standpoint, it felt really good.’’

“It was great,’’ said Broncos linebacker Von Miller. “He has a legendary presence when he’s on the football field. He was all over the place [Sunday], and just looking at him, you wouldn’t think that he took off so many weeks … He’s a legendary player. He’s a living legend for us, and I’m just truly blessed to have him on our team.’’

Miller could benefit from Ware's presence on gameday as he has seen a steady diet of double teams, with a smattering of triple teams, so far. While Miller is still second in the league in sacks, with 8.5, and currently on pace for 17, Ware will force offenses to make some decisions in protection.

Next in line is Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, who threw for 513 yards and four touchdowns in Oakland’s win over Tampa Bay Sunday. The Raiders are also 6-2 and tied with the Broncos for the AFC West lead.

“Sometimes you don’t need that extra motivation when you know what is at stake,’’ Ware said. “If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. This team right now is in the way. They are a great team and have been playing really well the whole season. To be a great team you have to be able to win on the road.’’