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.
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.