SAN DIEGO — Bronco receiver Demaryius Thomas, who caught only one of 13 passes thrown to him last Sunday, responded with a six-of-six, 61-yard outing at San Diego. Thomas caught the 44th touchdown pass of his career on the Broncos’ opening drive, tying him with Haven Moses and Lionel Taylor at No. 4 on the Broncos’ all-time list for touchdown receptions.
“It felt good being on the field catching the ball,” Thomas said. “The main thing was to start fast.”
He is 28 yards shy of reaching 1,000 on the season, which would tie him with Rod Smith as the only Broncos in history to have four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
“Since I have been in the league, playing against the Chargers is a big deal, and has always been a tough one,” Thomas said. “We came out as a team and played hard and tough.”
Ward’s status. Strong safety T.J. Ward ranks among the Broncos’ best defensive players this season, a menacing tackler and blitzer. He missed Sunday’s game with his high left ankle sprain, and it is likely he will need another week to heal. Ward is expected to test the ankle late this week.
David Bruton, who started in Ward’s place against the Chargers, finished with a team-high 12 tackles.
Garcia gets the nod. Louis Vasquez remained limited in practice last week with a groin injury, making it only a mild surprise rookie Max Garcia started in his place at right guard. Vasquez injured his groin last Sunday against the Patriots. He dressed for the Chargers game but, like Evan Mathis last Sunday, admitted he was available only in emergency duty.
Ware works out. Broncos outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware traveled with the team and worked out with positional coach Fred Pagac a few hours before kickoff at Qualcomm Stadium on Sunday.
The workout is part of Ware’s continued recovery from a back injury that has sidelined him for five games this season.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak said last week that Ware is close to returning. A return to the field next Sunday, when the Broncos host the Raiders, seems likely.
Footnotes. Broncos nose tackle Sylvester Williams’ right high ankle sprain improved last week, leaving it possible he could play against Oakland on Sunday. But as the Broncos learned with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, this type of injury can require two weeks to recover. Williams benefits from his position requiring less lateral movement in space. … Free safety Darian Stewart prevented two completions with big hits in the first quarter. The stadium public-address announcer referred to him as Deranged Stewart. “I heard him. I was like, ‘What is he saying?’ But it’s cool. We won,” said Stewart. … Chargers receiver Dontrelle Inman left the field on a cart with a neck injury in the first quarter. Chargers coach Mike McCoy told San Diego reporters “everything is looking good as of right now and they are going to run a few more tests” on Inman, who was able to move his extremities before being taken from the field… On the subsequent possession, Chargers cornerback Brandon Flowers exited to the locker room on a cart after breaking up a pass intended for Owen Daniels. … Broncos showed creativity offensively. Third stringer Juwan Thompson saw time at running back, and wide receiver Andre Caldwell turned a toss sweep into a second-quarter first down. “I knew Wednesday that we might run it when we put it in. I haven’t been in the backfield for a long, long time. Maybe high school. But it worked out,” Caldwell said. … Safety Josh Bush, who re-signed with the Broncos last week to provide depth in T.J. Ward’s absence, forced a fumble in the third quarter for one of the Broncos’ three takeaways. … Running back Ronnie Hillman attended Saturday’s game between Air Force and San Diego State at Qualcomm Stadium.
