It’s never a good thing when someone get hurts.

But it’s not always all bad.

The Broncos may have unveiled their new version of Double Trouble this past Sunday to the NFL.

Shane Ray and Von Miller are here to eat your children. Or something like that.

Nom nom nom.

This isn’t the football obituary for DeMarcus Ware, but rather might be the professional birth announcement for Ray. In his first career start, the 2015 first round pick declared his presence.

Another baby beast for the Broncos has seemingly arrived.

When Ware fractured his forearm in a Week 2 victory over the Colts, fans were upset – and rightfully so. He’s a first-ballot Hall of Famer who was a major part of Denver’s Super run a season ago. Fortunately for the Broncos, the transition from Ware to Ray could be as smooth Miller’s patented dance moves.

Ray recorded three sacks against Andy Dalton while playing 49 defensive snaps. It was easily a career high for the second-year man in terms of plays, and he also nearly matched his career-sack total.

In 21 total NFL games before the trip to Cincinnati (including the playoffs) Ray had four NFL sacks. Almost doubling that number to seven probably felt pretty damn good.

“I feel like there’s going to be some people here and there that doubt you or stuff like that. I don’t really pay attention to it. I just go out there and play ball and do my job and let my play speak for itself,” the ever-modest Ray said Monday in the Broncos locker room.

While the former Missouri star has become a well-liked piece on this defense, both by teammates and fans, there’s no doubt this next handful of games without Ware are a pivotal point in his young career.

Ray couldn’t have gotten off to a better start, but it’s important he continue that production the next month and beyond. Ware will be back at some point, and gunning for his starting job back. But Ray might give Wade Phillips and Gary Kubiak something to think about.

This is all part of why the Ware injury isn’t that big of a deal. In fact, it might work out for the better.

First off, it wasn’t a season (or Heaven-Forbid, career) ending break and will likely keep Ware sidelined until some point near the end of October. Circling that Monday, October 24 date with Brock Osweiler and the Texans as a possible return date isn’t a terrible idea.

Second, what the Broncos really have in Ray while he plays a true starting role across from Miller, likely about 50 snaps a game, needs to be revealed sooner rather than later.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, it will give Ware more time to rest a pesky back injury that sidelined him the entire offseason, including training camp and the preseason.

If you recall on the road to Santa Clara for Super Bowl 50, Ware missed four games. Sure that stretch came from October 8 to November 13, as opposed to early in the season, but a little less wear and tear in the playoffs did him wonders.

Everyone wants to talk about Von Miller during those magical wins against the Steelers, Patriots and Panthers (fair enough), but people forget how vital Ware was. He helped sack Roethlisberger, Brady and Newton in all three contests, and got to Dancin’ Cam twice in the big game. The rejuvenation from a little regular season break was huge.

“I spoke with [DeMarcus] after the game. He told me good job, keep working and to keep doing what I’m doing. He’s my mentor so he’s steady supporting me, steady critiquing me on what I can always do better and this is how our relationship is,” Ray added on Monday.

There’s no doubt Ware is rooting for Ray and vice versa. Whether or not Ray’s just keeping the seat warm or has taken over the starting role for good, though, remains to be seen.

The best news is the Broncos star-studded defensive line is going to be exceptional either way.

In the meantime, a good case study on Ray and a stretch off for Ware will each prove valuable later in the year.

It’s never a good thing when someone gets hurt.

Yet in this case it may not be a bad thing for Ware, Ray and the Broncos, either.