Nov 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and outside linebacker Shane Ray (56) react to a defensive stop in the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It was just a year ago that former Denver Broncos first-round pick Shane Ray was considered a potential All-Pro performer. Since then, the pass rusher simply has not been able to stay healthy.

Ray underwent three surgeries on his ailing left wrist during a four-month span last season, culminating in him being placed on injured reserve. All said, the Missouri product recorded just one sack in eight games. This came on the heels of a sophomore campaign in which Ray tallied eight sacks in a part-time role.

Fresh off the Broncos deciding against picking up the fifth-year option on Ray’s rookie contract, it now looks like the EDGE rusher could miss the entire 2018 campaign after a reoccurrence of the above-mentioned wrist injury.

https://twitter.com/mikeklis/status/1004072388701687809

Denver had planned for a future without Ray be selecting North Carolina State pass rusher Bradley Chubb fifth overall in April’s draft. Even then, this has to be considered a major blow to both the Broncos and their former first-round pick.

We don’t like seeing any player get injured, let alone in the offseason. We certainly don’t want to see a talented youngster forced to miss the duration of his contract year. That appears to be the case with Ray.

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An editor here at Sportsnaut. Contributor at Forbes. Previous bylines include Bleacher Report, Yahoo!, SB Nation. Heard on ESPN ... More about Vincent Frank