Veteran defensive end Shane Ray has found his way back to the NFL. After spending four years out of the league, Ray signed a one-year deal on Sunday to play for the Buffalo Bills.
Ray last played in NFL in 2018 with the Denver Broncos. He spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League. The 29-year-old player had 6.0 sacks and two forced fumbles during his time in CFL.
“Words can’t describe the emotions I’m feeling right now,” Ray wrote on social media. “So many tears, sleepless nights, depression, everything that comes with losing the game. So many days of having nothing but hope while fighting an uphill battle.”
Shane Ray entered the league as the first-round pick by the Broncos in the 2015 NFL Draft. He had a promising start to his time with the Broncos and contributed with forced fumbles in a 24–10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
Ray later struggled with injuries, causing him to miss significant time in 2017 and 2018. This prompted the Broncos to decline his fifth-year option and let him walk after his rookie contract expired. The former Missouri product then signed with the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the 2019 NFL season but failed to make the 53-men roster.
