Irving, Texas — Broncos rookie Ryan Harris will be out four to six weeks after undergoing back surgery.
A third-round draft pick out of Notre Dame, Harris underwent a laminectomy procedure Wednesday to alleviate pinched nerves from the spinal cord. Although, Harris was expected to spend his first season serving as an apprentice to veteran left tackle Matt Lepsis, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan didn’t downplay the significance of the injury.
“It’s four to six weeks,” he said today.
There is reason to believe Harris will recover quickly. On July 27, 2006, or a week before his senior season training camp at Notre Dame, Harris underwent back surgery to repair a herniated disc. Five weeks later, Harris was back by the Fighting Irish’s first game and made all 13 starts last season.
Until his disc surgery a year ago, Harris was a projected first-round draft pick, which is why the Broncos believe they got a third-round steal.
However, Harris began suffering back pain in an area unrelated to his previous surgery during minicamp. The nerves became agitated in his lower back last week to the point the laminectomy was considered the best option.
