Concern if Broncos LB Ray’s wrist ever be the same after latest setback

UPDATE: First reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Shane Ray will undergo a fourth wrist surgery in less than a year after a second opinion concurred with the original.

Ray’s likely to be out three months and could miss the beginning of the 2018 NFL regular season.

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Mentally draining is how Brandon Stokley described coming back from injury only to have a setback.

And Denver Broncos linebacker Shane Ray potentially faces one of those roadblocks in his recovery from a wrist injury that hampered most of his 2017 season.

First reported by 9News’ Mike Klis, Ray faces a fourth surgery in less than a year on his left wrist, though he is seeking a second opinion. Ray had sat out of workouts on Monday as a precaution.

While the procedure would likely not end Ray’s season, it certainly would hinder his 2018 campaign — a potentially pivotal season after the Broncos declined to pick up the pass rusher’s fifth-year option this offseason.

“I feel for the guy,” the “Stokley and Zach” host said Tuesday. “To see what he went through last year to not have them pick up the option. You know he wants to get in great shape and prove what he can do and show the world what he can do heading into probably a free agency year.

“Now, he’s having this setback. It’s just, mentally, it’s draining.”

Stokley called the report “concerning” with Ray already undergoing three procedures in less than a year to repair a damaged ligament.

“You start thinking about his career now with the wrist,” Stokley said. “Will it ever be healthy again?”

A first-round pick by the Broncos in 2015, Ray had been eligible to have a fifth-year option added to his current contract, but Denver declined it in early May.

Last month, Ray told reporters “it’s business” in regard to the declined option.

“Unfortunately, my injury happened. Do you invest $9 million in the guy who had three wrist surgeries the year prior? Maybe not,” Ray said. “I can’t blame John (Elway) for that, and I can’t focus on that.

“That’s not something I’m going to allow to mess up my focus or my commitment to the team. I’m going to play as hard as I can and do what I was brought here to do.”

A while both Stokley and his co-host Zach Bye both envisioned a monster season for Ray, with the motivation of free agency looming in 2019, but wrist surgery would most likely dampen his season to some extent.

“People don’t realize how tough it is when you spend so much time in the training room, you spend so much time getting healthy,” Stokley said. “He’s had three surgeries on the wrist. He tried to come back last year and play with one arm. It’s tough.

“And now he’s going to have to go through that process again, maybe? It bums me out for him.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.