One of the NFL’s top left tackles has suffered an injury likely to end his 2015 season.
Denver’s Ryan Clady sustained a torn left ACL in Wednesday’s organized team practice activities, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday. PFT’s Mike Florio has confirmed the injury to Clady, a four-time Pro Bowler who protects Peyton Manning’s blind side.
The Broncos have since announced Clady’s injury and have said it is likely to keep him off the field in 2015.
With the 28-year-old Clady out indefinitely, the Broncos will have to adjust at a vital position. Veteran right tackle Chris Clark could be an option on the left side; he filled in for Clady in 2013 when Clady missed most of the campaign with a foot injury.
Rookie Ty Sambrailo and second-year pro Michael Schofield are other potential replacements for Clady, whose loss is a tremendous blow to a Denver club that lost tight end Julius Thomas, offensive lineman Orlando Franklin, defensive tackle Terrance Knighton and safety Rahim Moore in free agency.
Clady suffered a patellar tendon tear in his left knee in 2010, but he played the preseason finale and all 16 regular season contests that year.
