Broncos lose seventh starter to IR

DENVER — Shane Ray’s season is done after he underwent his third wrist surgery in less than four months.

The third-year outside linebacker would spend the rest of the year on the injured reserve list, the Denver Broncos announced on Tuesday. He is the seventh Broncos’ starter to have his 2017 season ended by an injury.

This was supposed to be a breakout season for the former first-round pick. Future Hall-of-Famer DeMarcus Ware retired in March, leaving Ray to fill the starting outside linebacker spot opposite Von Miller.

Ray tore ligaments in his left wrist during a routine practice rep in July. He missed all of training camp and was placed on injured reserve, making him eligible for a Week 8 return. Additionally, Ray says he remains unable to lift weights due to the injury, and that’s why he only weighs 225 pounds after playing at 240 last season.

After his initial surgery in July, Ray had two more: He had pins removed from his wrist just before he returned to the field in October and another on Friday to remove the screws.

Ray played eight games this season, starting seven, and posted one sack and 16 tackles.

Shaq Barrett, who started the first six games of the season in place of Ray, should start the Broncos’ final two games. Barrett has four sacks, 28 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 2017. He has played in every game for the Broncos this season.

The Broncos only have three outside linebackers on their roster at the moment: Barrett, Miller, and Deiontrez Mount.