There is a chance the Broncos will have to play one more game without tight end Julius Thomas.
“I don’t know, man,” Thomas said. “I’m not sure yet.”
Thomas suffered a sprained left ankle during Denver’s game at St. Louis on Nov. 16. He missed the next two games before returning to practice on a limited basis this week.
The ankle has improved, but his playing status for Denver’s home game Sunday against the Buffalo Bills won’t be determined until a couple of hours before the game.
Even though Thomas has essentially missed the past three games, his 12 touchdowns are tied with running backs Jamaal Charles and Marshawn Lynch for the NFL lead.
Thomas isn’t the only Denver tight end ailing. Jacob Tamme is questionable with sore ribs as the list of players on the Broncos’ injury report went a season-most 17 deep Friday.
The injury report includes cornerback Kayvon Webster (shoulder) and rookie receiver Cody Latimer (concussion) listed as out, while defensive tackle Terrance Knighton (elbow), defensive end Quanterus Smith (ribs) and safety Quinton Carter (knee) are questionable.
With the bye week a distant memory, the Broncos are beat up heading into Game 13.
“I think everybody is beat up this time of year,” said coach John Fox. “It just comes with the territory. You have to report all injuries and so the list gets longer.”
McManus update. Brandon McManus is on the practice squad and on alert in case the Broncos call him up to handle kickoff duties. McManus had been the Broncos’ place-kicker through the first 11 games, but he was replaced by veteran Connor Barth last week.
Barth was a perfect 5-of-5 in field goals in his debut against the Kansas City Chiefs but 0-for-8 in kickoff touchbacks in windy, frigid conditions.
McManus is clearly stronger on kickoffs, but the Broncos are undecided whether to give him one of their valued 46-man game-day roster spots.
“I’m thankful to the Broncos for bringing me back,” McManus said. “I’ve got a chance to come in here and work every day. I need to improve. If my number gets called to come up to active, for whatever duty it is, I look forward to performing again.”
Define discount. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who has not held any contract extension talks with the team since August, told the NFL Network this week he’d be willing to take a hometown discount to stay in Denver.
“I think it’s just respect for this town because they took the chance when I was coming out, and of course, I would like to keep playing with Peyton (Manning),” he said.
In Thomas’ case, “discount” is a loose term. The league’s third-highest paid receiver, Percy Harvin, is making an average of $12.85 million a year. The second-highest-paid receiver, Larry Fitzgerald, is making $16.15 million a year, a fraction less than Calvin Johnson’s $16.2 million a year deal.
Thomas, thus, could become the third-highest-paid receiver with a deal that averages either $12.9 million a year, or $16.1 million a year — a substantial $3.2 million variance.
Fine line. Linebacker Von Miller didn’t get fined by the NFL for a hit that left Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce with a significant fine. Miller was given a 15-yard, roughing-the-passer penalty for his hit on Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith last Sunday.
After the play, Kelce walked into camera’s view and delivered an obscene gesture he later said was intended for Miller.
The league announced Friday that Miller wasn’t fined for his hit on Smith, but Kelce was fined $11,025 for his gesture toward Miller.
