Shane Ray could miss time for Broncos … again

The Denver Broncos linebacker could be on the verge of a fourth wrist surgery.

Linebacker Shane Ray was fortunate enough to win a Super Bowl during his rookie year in the NFL, when the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, the golden anniversary of the world’s greatest sporting event.

All was good for Ray back then, but things have not been quite so smooth over the last year for the former first round draft pick.

In July 2017, Ray suffered a torn ligament in his wrist, and that doomed a good chunk of his 2017 season with the Broncos. He was able to make it back in Week 8, but in late December, Ray was placed back on injured reserve. He missed a total of eight games last season.

Now, once again, Ray will most likely be needing another surgery on his wrist – a wrist that has already undergone three previous operations. However, before confirming that he will need surgery, Ray plans on getting a second opinion first, according a report by 9news.com.

Up until his troublesome season in 2017, Ray had been doing a pretty good job of staying on the field consistently. He played 14 games during his rookie season in 2015, then helped the Broncos to their victory in Super Bowl 50. The following year, Ray played in all 16 regular-season games, but didn’t get an opportunity to enjoy any postseason success, as the Broncos went 9-7 and finished third in the AFC West, missing the playoffs.

If Ray’s second opinion turns out positive and he doesn’t need the procedure, then he would most likely be ready to play in time for the 2018 season. But chances are, in order to be safe, he will end up getting the surgery, which would put a setback on his return to the field, though it most likely wouldn’t be a season-ending situation.

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Injuries are obviously a very common thing in a brutal contact sport like football, but Ray certainly hasn’t caught any lucky breaks over the last year.