Broncos vs. Chiefs: Shane Ray returns for Denver

The Denver Broncos get a nice mid-season addition on Monday with the return of outside linebacker Shane Ray.

Just as the Kansas City Chiefs are crossing their fingers, hoping that key members of the team will be ready to return to play against the Denver Broncos on Monday night, the same thing is happening on the other side. Fortunately for Denver, one returnee is already in the books, as Shane Ray is expected to make his long-awaited season debut for Denver against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium,.

Ray was expected to be a serious breakout candidate this season for the Broncos at outside linebacker. He already had 8 sacks last year, his second in the NFL, which doubled his total as a rookie in 2015. Playing across from Von Miller, Ray was predicted to have double digit sacks for the Broncos by some as Denver’s defense was once again going to anchor the team’s success.

Unfortunately for Ray, he tore a ligament in his wrist during the preseason, which forced him to sit out the first half of the season. Head coach Vance Joseph admits he’s still working his way back to being game-ready, but the best way to get back into the swing of things is to jump right in and Joseph made it clear Ray will start opposite Miller on Monday Night Football.  Shaq Barrett has started in Ray’s place in the season’s first six games and has held up okay, with 2 sacks and 17 total tackles to his credit.

Ray had 48 tackles for the Broncos last season, along with 8 sacks and 1 forced fumble. He has 9 total tackles and 1 sack in four career games against the Kansas City Chiefs.