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The past several months have been quite difficult for Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray while dealing with a nagging wrist injury. It is an ailment that kept him off the field for the second half of the 2017 season and has lingered on this offseason.
According to Zac Stevens of BSN Denver, Ray is now expected to miss the next two to three months due to wrist surgery that should have him back in time for the season opener.
Shane Ray will miss 2-3 months. He expects to be back for the season opener
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) June 12, 2018
The decision to undergo surgery at this point in time was likely made in order to get him on the field by the start of the 2018 season. There is still a window of time for him to recover from the injury that will allow him to possibly not miss any playing time in the process.
There is a great deal of importance for Ray on this upcoming season given that the Broncos had already decided not to pick up the fifth-year option for the 2019 campaign on his rookie deal. It has put him in the position of having to prove on the field that he deserves a long-term lucrative contract with the Broncos or even another team next offseason.
Since he was selected with the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, he has struggled to breakthrough as he had his best campaign in 2016 with a career-best 8.0 sacks while making 48 tackles with two forced fumbles. Through his first three years, he has made 13.0 sacks while missing 10 games.
This could also present an opportunity for rookie defensive end Bradley Chubb to quickly step into a prominent role as a pass rusher alongside All-Pro defensive end Von Miller. At this point, there is no certainty that Ray will be ready by the season opener, but that isn't the case it may see Chubb become a prominent factor along the defensive line from the get-go.
