Report: Broncos LB Ray may return sooner than expected from wrist injury

Jul 23, 2018, 8:46 AM Updated: 9:43 am

Outside linebacker Shane Ray (56) of the Denver Broncos jokes around with the New York Jets bench in the fourth quarter of a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Dec. 10, 2017, in Denver. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Pass rusher Shane Ray may see the field a lot sooner than expected for the Denver Broncos in 2018 coming off a lingering left wrist injury.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and James Palmer report Ray, who had been set to undergo a fourth procedure in less than a year on his wrist in June, opted to go the route of rehabilitation instead after his surgeon deemed the surgery unnecessary.

By rehabbing the wrist instead of correcting it surgically, Ray’s “timetable for return is much quicker than anticipated.”

At one point, the thought was #Broncos pass-rusher Shane Ray would be on the sidelines into the season after surgery. Now, though Ray could still start on the PUP list, he may not even miss regular season games thanks to not needing surgery. Big news at a crucial position.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 23, 2018

Per Rapaport, Ray could start training camp off on the physically unable to perform list but he may not miss the start of the regular season, unlike the surgical route that would have likely left him out several months.

The news comes amid a critical junction in Ray’s career with the Broncos. Denver opted to not exercise the linebacker’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, essentially creating a make or break year for the fourth-year pass rusher.

In May, “Stokley and Zach” host Brandon Stokley called Denver’s decision an “awful move” and a “bad decision.”

“I thought it was a no-brainer. I thought it was a layup,” Stokley said. “You have some wiggle room there if you do pick it up, just as long as he doesn’t get hurt. You protect yourself against him going out and having a great year and then him being a free agent and you losing him.”

Ray has shown flashes in his three seasons with the Broncos, racking up 13 sacks in 38 games.

However, the linebacker has been plagued by injury, missing much of the 2017.

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