Rookie linebacker Shane Ray returned to practice Wednesday after missing the last two games; the Denver Broncos coaching staff expects him to play Sunday.
Ray was seen on the practice field for the first time since Oct. 18 after spraining his MCL in Cleveland; a game Denver won in 26-23 in overtime. Head coach Gary Kubiak told the media Wednesday that Ray would be a “full go” Thursday and if “he comes through” this week at practice, he would get the start Sunday. The orange and blue host division rival Kansas City Chiefs at 2:25 p.m. MT.
“He looked good,” Kubiak said. “We did a lot of teaching today. We maxed up on reps and kind of went double of what we normally go on Wednesdays as far as repetition, but did a lot of teaching. He had a good day. He’ll be a full go tomorrow. The expectations are that if he comes through the week well that he’ll be ready to go, so we’ll see.”
Rays return could not have come with better timing; Denver is beat up. Left tackle and fellow rookie Ty Sambrailo was placed on the injured reserve last week, ending his season and defensive end DeMarcus Ware reinjured his lower back Sunday. Ware tweaked his injury — one he first suffered against the Raiders — in a loss against Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts; the pass-rusher could miss up to a month. Which is why Ray’s return to the practice — and hopefully playing field — is so crucial. The defensive side of the ball will also be without cornerback Aqib Talib Sunday after poking the eye of Colts tight end, Dwayne Allen.
Shaquil Barrett is expected to play outside linebacker for the injured Ware, along with Ray.
Ray has enjoyed a productive rookie campaign when he’s been able to suit up, disrupting opposing quarterbacks and accumulating two sacks in five games. Denver coaches expect Ray to come in and produce for the NFL’s No. 1 defense and help add to the league’s leading sack total, currently sitting at 30.
Kansas City’s quarterback Alex Smith has been sacked 28 times this year, which is one sack for every ten pass attempts. Was it preordained that Ray would be back this week to increase his total? Seems like it. All we can do is hope Ray can get into the backfield, just how he left off.
18-Year veteran quarterback Peyton Manning is also listed on the injury report. Kubiak was quoted as saying that Manning’s foot is “really sore” and it has been for weeks now. The story broke this morning.
Now, while he and Kubiak call it day-to-day, it sounds like he has plantar fasciitis. Which is pain caused by running many people literally deal with day-to-day, meaning it’s not an injury which should keep him out this Sunday.
