Buffalo Bills release former CFL defensive end Shane Ray with injury settlement

Photo courtesy: AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

The Buffalo Bills have released former Toronto Argonauts’ defensive end Shane Ray with an injury settlement.

Ray played 12 snaps in the team’s preseason matchup with the Denver Broncos on Saturday, Aug. 19 before suffering a right hamstring injury. He was subsequently placed on injured reserve, effectively ending his NFL comeback season. After reaching his settlement, he can now sign with any team on either side of the border following his recovery.

The 30-year-old signed with Toronto ahead of the 2021 season, dressing for five games as a CFL rookie and making four tackles. He found his form in 2022, recording 13 defensive tackles, six sacks, and two forced fumbles in 13 starts.

The Missouri product had his season end prematurely after he suffered a torn bicep in October, adding to a well-established history of serious injuries. He did not dress for the team during their postseason run, which culminated in a Grey Cup victory, and became a free agent in February.

Ray was originally selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. He played in 14 games in his rookie NFL season and made 20 tackles and four sacks while helping his team win the Super Bowl 50. He improved during his second season and recorded 48 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

The six-foot-three, 245-pound pass rusher underwent a number of surgeries on his wrist over the next two years, limiting his production as he made 26 total tackles and two sacks over 19 games. He was in training camp with the Baltimore Ravens in 2019 but was released upon its conclusion.