Breaking: Broncos LT Ryan Clady Tore ACL Wednesday

In a breaking news report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that is sure to make your stomach drop into the pits of hell, Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ryan Clady tore his ACL in practice on Wednesday.

This is, without question, some of the worst possible news the Broncos could have anticipated coming out of their first voluntary minicamp. Clady has played only one full season (2014) since signing a monstrous new contract with the team in the 2013 offseason.

Clady’s durability aside, this is a shocking blow for the Broncos who were pretty good about hiding the news that Clady was even hurt yesterday. I know I hadn’t heard or read anything about anyone being carted off the field, walking gingerly off the field, or anything.

With Clady out this season, the Broncos will now turn to veteran swing tackle Chris Clark, who will likely move over to (his more natural) left tackle position and rookie Ty Sambrailo at the right tackle spot. There’s also a chance Sambrailo could play left tackle (where he played in college) and Michael Schofield, a 2014 third round pick, could play the right side.

There are options for the Broncos, but Clady is a Pro Bowl player and one of their best. To be objective for a moment, Clady was actually not very good at all in 2014. He led the team in pressures allowed on Peyton Manning (the least sacked QB in the NFL last year) and he also allowed a team leading (tied) nine QB hits.

Not exactly glowing numbers for Clady in his first year back from the Lisfranc injury he suffered in week 2 of the 2013 season, but he’s obviously a really solid player who the Broncos were counting on heavily.