Shane Ray will not participate in NFL Combine drills due to injury
Scouts at the NFL Combine who were hoping to see Missouri defensive end Shane Ray in action will have to wait until next month. The reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year will not participate with the other defensive linemen on Sunday due to an injury he suffered during the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.
"Unfortunately, I won't be able to perform because of an injury I had in my bowl game with my foot," he told reporters covering the Combine on Saturday afternoon. "So everything that is listed for tomorrow as far as the 40, and all the athletic drills, I'll be doing on my Pro Day."
Mizzou's Pro Day is set for March 19.
Ray, who tallied a school-record 14 1/2 sacks last season, says he has met with teams that use both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses, but has drawn more interest from teams that utilize the 3-4, including the Baltimore Ravens.
"Personally, I feel like I bring everything that you need as a defender to the table," he told reporters. "I've shown that I can make plays in the open field, that I can drop into coverage. Throughout my career my coaches have moved me all over the field. ... I've just displayed my speed consistently and what I can do as a 4-3 defensive end and an outside linebacker."
FOX Sports' Joel Klatt ranked Ray seventh on his Big Board earlier this month, citing his "extremely high ceiling."
"Shane is explosive getting to the QB and is rumored to be a testing freak, which will create massive momentum at the Combine," he wrote. "Like (Clemson's Vic) Beasley, he must get better in run defense or the 4-3 teams will pass."
