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May 05, 2021
6:27 AM ET
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Denver Broncos offensive lineman Ja’Wuan James might lose a shocking amount of money after getting hurt.
According to Adam Schefter, the talented lineman suffered an Achilles injury while working out away from the team’s facilities, and that means the team can void up to $20 million in contract money.
If he had been injured while working out on-site, his money would be protected.
Broncos’ OT Ja’Wuan James suffered a season-ending torn Achilles working out today away from the team facility, per sources. James’ $10 million salary for the upcoming season now is in jeopardy being that Denver no longer is obligated to pay him with him working out off site.
Players who opted out last season were eligible for between $150,000-$350,000. ESPN s Adam Schefter reported that James contract tolled last season, meaning he was playing under his 2020 contract this year, which had $10 million guaranteed for skill and injury, and another $10 million reserved for 2021.
In total, James could be out close to $20 million.
The 19th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins in the 2014 draft, James started 16 games in his first and third seasons in the league and 15 games in 2018. Injuries have cost him significant playing time in every other season, however.
Since signing a four-year, $51 million contract with Denver prior to the 2019 season, James has played three games at right tackle for the Broncos.
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Every passing year, February 7, 2016 only gets further away. It has now been five seasons since the Broncos sniffed the playoffs. Four seasons since they posted a winning record. For now, Broncos Country has little more than “win from now on” to cling to. Patrick Mahomes isn’t going anywhere, even if Father Time catches the ageless Tom Brady this off-season. A new general manager likely means patience as his vision is executed. George Paton was signed for six years so he may feel no pressure to chase a Lombardi in 2022. He could also decide that his best road forward is to go all in. Only time will tell.