The Broncos have placed OLB Shane Ray on IR as he recovers from a torn wrist ligament. The move corresponded with QB Brock Osweiler signing and will keep Ray out for at least half the season. He seemed to be on track to return earlier than that at the time of the injury and surgery but is now totally off the IDP draft radar.

Broncos OLB Shane Ray tore a ligament in his left wrist Thursday that is expected to cost him 6-8 weeks, according to The Denver Post. Ray was set to have surgery Saturday morning. He had been expected to start in place of the retired DeMarcus Ware. Denver's top reserve at the position, Shaq Barrett, is on the non-football injury list with a hip issue that HC Vance Joseph expects to keep him out until Week 2 or 3 of the regular season. So the Broncos are expected to turn to 4th-year player Kasim Edebali and former practice-squad player Vontarrius Dora. The situation could significantly hurt the pass rush of 1 of fantasy football's top team defenses.

Broncos OLB DeMarcus Ware will have surgery Tuesday to repair a fractured right forearm and is expected to miss 4-5 weeks, according to ESPN's Jeff Legwold. Ware's not a big-time IDP prospect at this point, but losing him dings the Denver team D a bit. We'll see how well 2nd-year man Shane Ray can fill in.

Broncos OLB Shane Ray suffered a sprained MCL Sunday against the Browns and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks, according to ESPN's Josina Anderson. Ray wasn't really factoring into 2015 IDP plans anyway, and the injury shouldn't impact him long term -- barring a more significant diagnosis with further testing.

The Broncos expect OLB DeMarcus Ware to miss about 2 weeks after suffering a back strain in the win over Oakland, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That should mean more playing time for rookie Shane Ray, who has seen about a quarter of the defensive snaps so far. Fellow rookie Shaq Barrett might see more time as well.

Broncos rookie DE Shane Ray sat out Wednesday's start of OTAs with the toe injury that hampered him through the predraft period. But HC Gary Kubiak told The Denver Post that he expects the 1st-round pick to hit the field as early as next week. The Broncos don't need Ray to become a starter right away, so this toe thing shouldn't be much of an issue for his IDP outlook or the team defense in fantasy.

The Broncos grabbed DE Shane Ray with the 23rd pick of the NFL Draft after moving up. He joins a defense that already boasts LB Von Miller and DE DeMarcus Ware in the pass rush. Ray's foot injury might limit his immediate impact, but Ware's heading into his age-33 season. Ray should at least push for a starting job in 2016. We'll see if the off-field stuff follows him to the pros.