Denver Broncos offensive tackle Ja'Wuan James Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Broncos RT Ja'Wuan James opts out of NFL season

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Aug 3, 2020 2:34 PM ET

The Denver Broncos were left with a hole on their offensive line after right tackle Ja'Wuan James opted out of the 2020 campaign due to coronavirus-related concerns.

James addressed the situation via social media and explained there's "too much unknown about this virus & about plans handling it going forward" for the 28-year-old to feel safe participating in the campaign. He added that a family member was hospitalized due to COVID-19.

take care of you & yours pic.twitter.com/tgA5LwkrcM
— Ja'Wuan James (@JawuanJames70) August 3, 2020

According to ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the Broncos knew James was considering opting out weeks ago.

A first-round draft selection of the Miami Dolphins, James was named to the 2014 All-Rookie Team by the Pro Football Writers of America, and he signed a four-year contract with the Broncos in March 2019. James appeared in only three games for the Broncos last year due to knee injuries.

His contract is paused until next season. As noted by Marcus White of NBC Sports Bay Area, players who voluntarily elect to sit earn a $150,000 advance on their salaries.

Recently, Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said:

"The opt-out option is a player's choice and a player's right, and we'll respect that if a player decides to do that. That's absolutely, 100 percent their right, inherently. I've got no objection to that at all and would be supportive of that, if that's what somebody wants to do."

Denver defensive tackle Kyle Peko opted out last week.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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