Broncos should trade LB Shane Ray if he’s healthy, says Big Al
Jul 23, 2018, 7:39 PM
Amid reports that linebacker Shane Ray may be back on the field sooner than expected from a wrist injury, “The Drive” host Alfred Williams called for the Denver Broncos to trade the pass rusher.
Reports on Monday indicated Ray opted to rehabilitate his injured left wrist, instead of undergoing surgery in June, after the doctor set to do the procedure deemed it unnecessary.
Because he did not go under the knife, Ray will likely return to the field much sooner than the estimated three months recovery time from surgery.
Williams said on Monday that as soon as Ray can pass a physical the Broncos should trade him because it’s likely that trust between the fourth-year linebacker and the team’s medical staff has been frayed.
“There has to be a trust between the organization and the player. And really there only needs to be trust in one major area before things really get going the right way, and it’s do you trust the medical staff that you’re dealing with when you’re going through an injury,” Williams said.
And with the Broncos have seemingly already found Ray’s replacement in No. 5-overall pick Bradley Chubb, Williams says the best thing for everyone is to part ways.
“The best thing for the Broncos to do right now is just to trade him before training camp starts. If he passes a physical, trade him,” Williams said. “There’s nothing good that can happen in this relationship right now going forward. You already have drafted his replacement.”
If he was a player in this situation, Williams said he’d be “upset,” “hot,” and “ticked off,” especially considering Chubb received a large bulk of reps in OTAs, all the reps in rookie minicamp, and Ray will likely rotate more in terms of reps during training camp than in years past.
“If it was me and I was the player, I would like to be traded,” Williams said.
However, last month, before opting for rehab over surgery, Ray said he’s trying to stay positive and “control what (he) can control.”
“It’s frustrating, but all I can do is try and keep a positive mind,” Ray said. “I’m more anxious to just get it done and over with so I can start my healing process and get back out here with my team.”
Ray is in the final year of his rookie contract with the Broncos after the club opted not to exercise his fifth-year option in May.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.
