Ineffectiveness and injuries defined the Broncos’ 22-7 loss Sunday to the St. Louis Rams.
Denver addressed its mistakes during film review Monday and remains hopeful that two offensive stars will return this Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.
Tight end Julius Thomas (left ankle) and Emmanuel Sanders (concussion) have not been ruled out of the Miami game, but running back Montee Ball is expected to miss at least two weeks after aggravating a right groin injury.
“I just wanted to make sure they got a chance to look at it, and I wasn’t anticipating this being something that ended my season,” Thomas said Monday. “It’s just day to day.”
Injured when running back C.J. Anderson fell on him during a second-quarter running play, Thomas wore tape on his ankle Monday but did not require a protective boot or crutches. He walked through the locker room without a limp, an encouraging sign, leaving the possibility that he will recover in time to face the Dolphins.
Sanders is going through the NFL’s concussion protocol. He must be cleared by the Broncos and by an independent doctor. He talked optimistically in St. Louis that he would be OK. He absorbed a violent hit from Rams safety Rodney McLeod, diving as McLeod lowered his shoulder. The league will look at the hit to determine whether McLeod will be fined. Officials flagged him for unnecessary roughness.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Monday he didn’t believe McLeod should have been penalized.
Ball’s homecoming to St. Louis could not have gone worse. He injured his leg on a pass play, then heard it pop after returning to the game. The clock is working against Ball playing again in the regular season, based on his previous five-week absence because of a similar injury.
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or
