Ty Sambrailo injury update: rookie goes to IR, what’s next?
Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak announced on Monday that rookie left tackle Ty Sambrailo would be placed on season-ending injured reserve after the team made the decision for him to have surgery to repair an injury he suffered earlier this season.
Many thought Sambrailo would be able to play this past weekend against Green Bay, but after a week of practice with the starters, he still wasn’t quite ready to go. The Broncos made the decision to have season-ending surgery to repair the shoulder, effectively making him the second Broncos rookie to be placed on IR.
Not only that, he’s the second Broncos left tackle placed on IR already this year. Ryan Clady went down earlier in the offseason with a torn ACL that buckled in a non-contact situation.
It’s certainly not an ideal situation for the Broncos and their depth on the line, but Michael Schofield has played really well at the right tackle spot and Tyler Polumbus/Ryan Harris have done a fine job taking over the left side of the line. I don’t think their success will preclude the Broncos from making some kind of move at the position, however, be it via trade or some other form or fashion.
Sambrailo still has a role with this team in the future, but it’s going to be interesting to see what happens. Will the Broncos re-structure Ryan Clady next offseason? Will they bring him back at all?
Will Sambrailo be a candidate to take over for Evan Mathis, who signed just a 1-year deal to play left guard with Denver? Will that job belong to Max Garcia, who’s already receiving reps?
Whatever the case may be, the Broncos have a young group of guys to develop and they have veterans in place to handle things while they are developing/injured.
It will be really interesting coming off of a Sunday where it was suggested that All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas could be available in a trade if the Broncos will make a move since they expected Sambrailo to be around long-term. There have also been trade rumors surrounding Russell Okung (Seahawks) and Joe Staley (49ers).
Keep your eyes peeled.