Former Miami Dolphins Ja’Wuan James may get the break he needs
By Brian Miller
The Miami Dolphins allowed Ja’Wuan James to leave the team a few years ago in free agency, he signed with Denver but rarely played a down.
The Broncos signed James to a big contract but James was not able to get on the field for more than three games. In 2020, James opted out of the season as he continued to deal with his recovery. Then, finally healthy, James showed up to train at the Broncos facility but the NFLPA urged players not to do so.
James worked out on his own and ruptured his Achille’s tendon. With $10 million due to James this year, the Broncos opted to release him and because he was working out away from the team’s facility, he was owed nothing.
There are some who will point to the fact that James made the decision himself but if you have ever met him, he is one of the nicest guys you can meet and following a directive from his union, worked against him.
Now, it appears that despite his Achilles injury, James is getting another contract. According to a report, James will sign with the Baltimore Ravens.
Former Broncos’ OT Ja'Wuan James, who ruptured his Achilles in April, is signing a two-year deal worth up to $9 million with the Ravens, sources tell ESPN. James still has to pass his physical with the Ravens, but it will not include his current injury and no issues expected.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 7, 2021
This is great news for the former Dolphins’ offensive tackle. While he was often injured, he played very well when healthy. In his five seasons with Miami, James started 16 of 16 games in his rookie season, only seven games in 2015, all 16 in 2017, then 8 games in 2018, and finally 15 games in 2019.
It’s good to see a team give him an opportunity even though he probably won’t be playing at all until next season. With him in-house though, the Ravens can work on his recovery and rehabilitation with him as opposed to him having to do it on his own.