Ja’Wuan James suffers season-ending torn Achilles

Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James has suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

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.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 4, 2021

Schefter reports that James’ $10 million salary for the 2021 season is now in jeopardy because Denver is no longer obligated to pay him since he was working out off-site.

James signed a four-year, $51 million contract with the Denver Broncos in 2019, where he missed all but three games that year and then opted out of the 2020 season.

Per Schefter, James’ contract tolled last year, so he was playing under his 2020 contract this year, which had $10 million guaranteed for skill and injury, and another $10 million in 2021. So it’s a $20 million potential torn Achilles injury today.

Unfortunately the Broncos were counting on James to be the starter this upcoming season.

General manager George Paton commented on James’ status just recently.

“He’s been here, and he’s been working out,” general manager George Paton said during a pre-draft press conference Thursday. “He looks great and the expectation is he starts at right tackle and he plays well.”