Broncos LB Ray (wrist) still sore, sits out practice
Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray sat out practice at the team's organized team activities on Monday due to soreness in the left wrist that required three surgeries last season.
Head coach Vance Joseph told reporters after practice that Ray's wrist has been "irritated."
"We're taking it slow," Joseph said. "Just being smart with guys. It's the spring. Our goal is to get him healthy for training camp, but right now we're being smart with Shane."
When asked by Denver Channel 7 if his wrist is OK, Ray said, "I am not sure."
Ray had surgery three times on the wrist and spent two separate stints on injured reserve last year after initially suffering a torn ligament during the first week of training camp. He struggled to just one sack in eight games while wearing a cast, with his weight reportedly slipping from 240 pounds to 225 due to an inability to lift weights.
He had eight sacks in 2016 as a rotational player behind starters Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.
Ray, who turned 25 last month, had his fifth-year option for 2019 -- which would have been worth $9.23 million and guaranteed for injury only -- declined by the team after the 2018 draft, during which the Broncos took edge rusher Bradley Chubb with the No. 5 overall pick.
A first-round pick in 2015 (No. 23 overall), Ray had been participating fully in on-field drills throughout the offseason, lining up with the starting defense opposite Miller. Chubb and fifth-year pro Shaquil Barrett have also worked into the rotation, though both were with the first team on Monday as Ray sat out and Miller was absent for a personal day. Ray and Barrett are each set to hit free agency next March.
Wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders joined Miller as players who missed the voluntary practice, though all three have been present throughout the offseason. Joseph was not concerned with the veterans' absences.
--Field Level Media
