Should Broncos be extra cautious regarding Shane Ray wrist injury?

During OTAs in late-May, Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray reflected on the wrist injury he played through in 2017 — one which would eventually end his season.

Ray said he made the decision to come back mid-year to play despite only having “one hand” and with people telling him to “take injury reserve” and not play.

“Maybe I could’ve done that, but I’m a fighter. It just didn’t feel right for me,” Ray said. “Even if I had a little bit in me to sit on the bench. That’s the kind of guy I am, I am going to keep fighting. That’s all I know how to do.”

A couple of weeks later, after leaving sitting out OTAs with wrist soreness, Ray was set to need another procedure on his left wrist, which would have likely put him out three months, or into the early part of the regular season.

On Monday, however, reports revealed Ray didn’t have surgery after doctors deemed it unnecessary and, instead, rehabbed the injury, likely moving up his recovery timetable considerably.

But with Ray’s history of working back from injury perhaps sooner than most would find comfortable, should the Broncos be extra cautious with their pass rusher?

“Pritchard and Cecil” host Cecil Lammey advocated for the Broncos to “protect” Ray from himself by putting him on the physically unable to perform list to start out training camp.

“I know it doesn’t sound great, but you can keep him on there for a few days and then take him off,” Lammey said Monday. “But, just protect him from himself and protect your interests …”

“Stokley and Zach” host Brandon Stokley said if he were in Ray’s shoes, he too would choose rehab over surgery, especially in a contract year.

“If you are presented with the opportunity to rehab it and not have surgery, then that’s probably what you’re going to take,” Stokley said. “I just hope in the long run that six weeks into the season this thing doesn’t pop up again and now we’re looking at Shane Ray missing extended time or possibly the season because he has to have surgery.”

Should Ray stay healthy, though, Stokley believes it’ll be not only a win for the linebacker — who’s in the final year of his rookie deal and likely won’t be back with Denver next season — but also for the Broncos organization.

“It could be a win-win for both parties if Shane Ray is healthy and has a good year,” Stokley said. “Then he moves on next year. He goes into free agency and he gets a big payday for another football team.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.