A key component of what again figures to be a topflight Denver Broncos defense may be sidelined for the better part of the next two months.
Third-year pass-rusher Shane Ray, who was poised to step into a lead role opposite Von Miller, will undergo surgery Saturday to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist.
Upon announcing the injury Friday, head coach Vance Joseph told reporters Ray is expected to miss the next six-to-eight weeks, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post.
Ray enjoyed a breakout season of sorts as a sophomore in 2016, posting eight sacks and 48 total tackles in 16 games. DeMarcus Ware's retirement cleared the way for him to be a full-time starter this fall, but it now appears he'll miss all preseason action and a good portion of regular-season matchups in September.
The former first-round pick's impending absence poses a second major concern for the front seven, as Shaq Barrett's recovery from a hip injury is still without any sort of clear timeline.
Joseph also added he will soon meet with John Elway about a potential roster move to bolster the pass-rusher group alongside Miller.
