Ron Leary back at Denver Broncos practice after Achilles injury

Denver Broncos offensive lineman Ron Leary is back at practice after suffering an Achilles injury during the 2018 season.

The Denver Broncos’ starting offensive line is finally all together on the practice field as guard Ron Leary has returned to practice.

Leary is not participating in team drills just yet, but he’s out on the practice field and his inclusion in the 2019 plans can be a massive boost to this team.

The Broncos signed Leary to a free agent contract two years ago worth $36 million over four years. So far, he’s played in 17 regular season games and has been fantastic when healthy, but he’s only been healthy about half the time.

The Broncos need more from Leary, and they put a huge vote of confidence in him by paying his team option this year.

If Leary is unable to stay healthy or doesn’t perform well this season, he’s more than likely going to be a cap casualty at some point in the 2020 offseason. He counts more than $9 million against the Broncos’ cap this season, but would have a dead cap hit over $7 million if the team decided to part ways with him.

Therefore, they are keeping him around and seeing if they can get a healthy season from him. Next offseason, Leary would count less than $1 million in dead cap if he’s traded or released by the Broncos.

That makes this year a massive prove-it year for Leary, which we’ve already written about to a degree.

If Leary is healthy, he is slated to be the Broncos’ starting right guard with Dalton Risner taking reps at left guard. A starting five of Garett Bolles, Dalton Risner, Connor McGovern, Ron Leary, and Ja’Wuan James.

There’s a lot invested in that line, and now this group is being coached up by Hall of Famer Mike Munchak, who has grown a reputation as the best offensive line coach in the game today.