Ray getting second opinion on discomfort in left wrist

Broncos linebacker Shane Ray is expected to receive a second opinion on his left wrist injury that has kept him out of organized team activities this week.

A team source confirmed a report by 9News and said Ray was shelved this week because of discomfort in the wrist. On Monday, coach Vance Joseph called the new injury an “irritation.”

Ray provided an update via his Instagram account late Tuesday afternoon. He said he “didn’t reinjure anything.” and that there is a “complication from the initial surgery that needs correcting. We will evaluate my options going forward and I’m sure it will work out fine.”

Ray had three left wrist surgeries last year that limited him to eight games and one sack. The Broncos drafted Bradley Chubb fifth overall to challenge Ray for the starting strongside linebacker position.

Ray participated in the first two weeks of OTAs. Last weekend, he returned to his home state of Missouri to host a youth football camp, and video footage revealed he was wearing a brace on the left wrist. He also wore a brace while watching Monday’s OTA.

Originally injured last year in training camp when he damaged his wrist bone and ligaments, Ray had an initial surgery and then a follow-up procedure in October to remove pins. The screws remained in place, and a hardware-type problem could be at the root of his current irritation.

The Broncos declined to pick up Ray’s fifth-year (2019) contract option last month, which Ray said he understood because of the wrist issues. That salary would have been guaranteed had Ray not been able to pass a physical in March 2019. He is scheduled to be a free agent next year.

If Ray misses significant time between now and the regular season, it will benefit Chubb, who worked with the first team Monday and would probably ease his transition from 4-3 defensive end to 3-4 strongside linebacker.