The Denver Broncos will be without a key member of their offensive line in 2015 after Pro Bowl left tackle Ryan Clady tore his ACL during practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The team has placed him on injured reserve, officially ending his season.
Ryan Clady placed on IR after tearing ACL
Peyton Manning’s blindside protector will likely miss the entire 2015 season with a torn ACL.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
This is the second serious injury Clady has suffered in the last three years. He missed all but two games of the 2013 season with a Lisfranc injury to his left foot.
Clady, the team’s longest tenured player, has anchored the left side of the Broncos line since being drafted by Denver with the 12th overall pick in 2008. Including the playoffs, he has started all 102 games of his NFL career at left tackle.
He is a two-time All-Pro and has been elected to four Pro Bowls. Last year he allowed two sacks in 1,084 regular-season snaps protecting Peyton Manning’s blind side.
The Broncos will have a tough time replacing one of the NFL’s top left tackles. Veteran right tackle Chris Clark could move over to the left side -- he subbed for Clady in 2013.
Other potential replacements on the roster include rookie Ty Sambrailo, who was drafted by the team in the second round this year, and 2014 third-round pick Michael Schofield.
The Broncos did add one player to their offensive line depth chart on Thursday. Denver has reportedly agreed to terms with tackle Ryan Harris, according to Jeff Legwold and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. The seven-year pro was drafted by the Broncos in 2007 and spent his first four seasons with the team. He most recently played right tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs last year, starting 15 games.
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