Broncos Battle Breakdown: Shane Ray spices up the competition at outside backer

Editor’s note: In addition to our overarching observations every day, throughout Broncos’ training camp, we will be picking at least one position battle each practice to focus in on. We’ll give an in-depth look at how the battle looked that day, and where each of the competitors stand in the race.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Training camp 2018 opened with a bang, and no other position had more of a spark than outside linebacker.

As the team gathered for their pre-practice stretch, all but one player was on the field.

That was because Von Miller was waiting for his own personal entrance. As No. 58 galloped on the field, he headed straight for the fans, and in return, the fans made it rain with “MVP, MVP, MVP” chants.

But then another outside linebacker stole the show on the field.

What we saw today

While Von’s grand entrance was grand — oh, to the tune of $114 million — the entrance that was most meaningful on the day — not just at outside linebacker — was Shane Ray slowly strolling on the field.

What was notable about his regular entrance was, well, it was regular — meaning he was dressed and ready to practice. After not having to have surgery on his wrist during the offseason, Ray’s availability for the start of camp was unknown.

“This was the schedule. I knew I was going to be out here today. I just didn’t want to tell y’all,” Ray joked after practice, showing he was back to his lighthearted self.

On Saturday, not only was he full go, there was absolutely no sign of an injury that completely derailed his season last year.

Across from Von, Ray was the first outside linebacker to line up with the defense on the first team period of the day. Throughout practice, much of the same occurred.

Ray took this opportunity and ran with it.

During individual drills, the former first-round pick looked explosive bending the corner. During team drills, he looked strong. During a one-on-one drill, Ray manhandled tackle Garett Bolles, throwing him to the side at his will. Then, on the next play, Ray once again beat his man, leading Miller to “dap him up” as the kids say.

The only downside of Ray’s shining day was during an individual drill where the players were intercepting routine balls. Wearing a splint, the pass bounced off Ray’s injured hand. Immediately after, Ray looked down at the splint protecting his hand as he shook his head in disappointment.

Outside of Von and Ray, there were, in fact, other outside linebackers on the field during the first day of camp.

Bradley Chubb had a solid first training camp practice of his career, and he almost made it a memorable one. During the first team period, Chubb dropped into deep coverage — at least in outside linebackers terms — and nearly came away with an interception off Paxton Lynch.

On the left numbers about 10 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, the 6-foot-4, 275-pound backer made an acrobatic play on the ball, but couldn’t secure it as he came down.

Undrafted rookie Jeff Holland was also impressive as he tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage.

How it stands now

There’s already a shakeup on the first day of camp. And, no, this isn’t just for drama.

When it was initially believed that Ray would need surgery that would hold him out for the entirety of training camp and preseason — if not regular season games — it was almost a foregone conclusion that Chubb was going to start opposite Von Miller.

But with Ray not needing surgery, and the fact he’s at full speed on the first day of camp playing at a high level, the tides have shifted.

“Shane Ray is goin’,” head coach Vance Joseph said, when asked if Ray will be eased back into camp or if he’s a full go.

Not only was Shane goin’ on Saturday, he was taking extra reps on the sideline.

As it stands right now, Ray has the edge on Chubb for the starting position opposite Miller. Of course, regardless who wins the emblematic title of “starter” won’t change the fact that Chubb, Ray and Shaq Barrett will all see the field a considerable amount during the season.

Right now, Ray’s return gives him the slight edge.

What they’re saying about it

Von on Ray’s return

“It’s good to get Shane back. I’m glad he got everything figured out.”

Von on finding out Ray didn’t need surgery

“I think he was supposed to get surgery on Friday at 8:00 am. I called him at 2:00 pm — he didn’t pick up, of course — and I texted him and was like, ‘I hope everything went well.’ He texted me back like four hours later, and he said he wasn’t going to do the surgery, so I was like ‘Okay, cool.’ I talked to him after and he told me his plan and how he was going about it. So I was excited. I was just as happy as he was.”

Ray on the process of finding out he didn’t need to get surgery

“I was really shocked because I had my mind made up. I was like ‘Lets get this over and done with so I can start training. Let’s get it done.’ [The doctor] was like ‘Well, just wait a second. Let’s do a couple more tests, a couple more examinations and then tomorrow I’ll let you know if that’s what we need to do right now. Went in the next day and he said ‘This is something we can do to protect you and still get you through the season and you won’t have to get surgery immediately.’ Now I’m out here.”

Ray on if he’ll need surgery in the future

“That’s a possibility. It could also heal itself. If I don’t feel any pain and everything is fine, I can just keep playing. It’s just something you got to keep an eye on because it was a major surgery. Sometimes, obviously, what happened to me this offseason, it doesn’t always go as planned. Just keeping an eye on it. I’m feeling great, and I’m excited.”

Ray on the differences of playing in a splint this season instead of a cast like last season

“Way different. Honestly, the cast and the surgery itself, I felt like I was playing with one hand, honestly. But with the splint, I still have all the strength in my hand. I can still grab now, still extend now. It protects me as far as impact out here. I feel good. I was really trying to push it today. Trying to see if I was going to feel anything and I didn’t feel anything. That’s all I care about.”

Ray on returning to the field

“I’m glad that I can come out and play to the best of my abilities… I didn’t feel any pain, which is the best part. It’s hard to play football when you feel the pain. Now that’s taken away, I can just focus on playing, not trying to protect my wrist or do things differently.”