Shane Ray heading to injured reserve for the rest of 2017
Denver Broncos pass rusher Shane Ray appears headed for injured reserve for the final two games of the 2017 season. He recently had another wrist procedure…
What was expected to be a huge breakout year for Shane Ray has turned into a very difficult year dealing with a wrist injury.
Ray was placed on injured reserve at the start of the 2017 season after having surgery on his wrist, and didn’t return to the field until he was recalled off of IR in November against his hometown Kansas City Chiefs.
Ray’s return to the field provided the Broncos a boost in the pass rush department, despite the fact that his replacement Shaquil Barrett had performed incredibly well.
The former first round pick seemed to announce on his Twitter account Tuesday that his 2017 season was over, and the rumors of him heading back to injured reserve appear true:
Life comes at you sometimes and you have to make the best of things. After my 3rd wrist surgery it’s time that I get healthy so that I can be the best I can be. As always I appreciate the love and support and I’m looking forward to what we will be as a team next season! pic.twitter.com/khnftFF2fc
— Shane Ray (@StingRay56) December 19, 2017
Because Ray was unable to do much weight training while recovering from an injured wrist, he came back weighing less than his ideal playing weight, and had to fight through the pain of the injury even after being recalled.
Not to mention, he had to be a pass rusher in the NFL with just one good hand.
Ray is a tough dude, and certainly a bright spot on Denver’s defense for years to come. Fans debate whether or not Ray or Barrett deserve more credit, accolades, playing time, or whatever, but both are really good players.
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Skill has never been an issue for Ray. He dropped into the Broncos’ laps in the 2015 NFL Draft, and in a league where pass rushers are such a premium position, the Broncos have three really good ones. It’s unfortunate he’s struggled with this injury this season, because when at full speed, he has the potential to be a special rusher.
With Ray back on IR, the Broncos will obviously lean more heavily on Barrett, but also Deiontrez Mount, a player who was called up from the practice squad earlier this season.
Ray finished this season with one sack in seven starts.