Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray’s wrist continues to be a problem. He will require another surgery on the wrist that kept him out of eight games in 2018
Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray will undergo another surgery on his wrist, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Ray has been dealing with wrist problems since the early parts of last season. Rapoport also says that Shane Ray is expected to miss three months due to the surgery. This timetable puts the beginning of Ray’s 2018 season in doubt.
Ray claimed that he did not reinjure the wrist and that the procedure is just a “clean-up”.
The news about Shane Ray’s status is bad for the linebacker. He will basically be auditioning for another team in 2018. Denver opted not to pick up his fifth-year option, so 2018 is going to be his last year in a Broncos uniform regardless.
Ray’s wrist problems have been ongoing since last season, as he missed eight games throughout the year. This will be his fourth operation on the same wrist.
He was a first-round pick out of Missouri by the Broncos in 2015. In three seasons with the team, he has recorded 84 total tackles and has 13 quarterback sacks. Denver clearly feels confident enough in the other players at the position on the roster to let Ray walk and sign with a new team.
Denver is well-prepared at the linebacker position. Shane Ray’s absence will allow 2018 first-round pick Bradley Chubb a chance to get a lot of reps in. If Chubb shines while Ray is out, it is even a possibility that Chubb passes Ray on the depth chart.
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Since Shane Ray will become a free agent in 2019, the Broncos have nothing to lose while playing Chubb.
Along with Chubb and Miller, Shaquil Barrett, Stansley Maponga, and 2018 draft pick Jeff Holland are players currently on the roster that will fill in while Ray recovers from the nagging wrist injury. Safety Su’a Cravens is also a player who could see time at linebacker, as he has experience playing the position.