What seemed like wishful thinking a week ago is suddenly a reality for C.J. Anderson. After his 158-yard rushing performance against the Colts last Thursday, Anderson is within 142 yards of his long-held goal of 1,000 in a season. If he reaches it, Anderson would be the first Bronco since Knowshon Moreno (1,038) in 2013 to hit the mark.
And he very well could with two games to go.
“I think it’s a good milestone for myself, but also for up front and our team as a whole,” Anderson said. “Same thing for D.T. (Demaryius Thomas) and keeping his streak going. Even though we’re not having the season we want to, it still feels good to have certain milestones reached, and hopefully we can reach that goal.”
Thomas is 160 receiving yards shy of having 1,000 for the sixth consecutive season, which would tie Ring of Famer Rod Smith for the longest such streak in team history. With another 17 catches, he’ll join Torry Holt (2002-07) as the only two players in NFL history to record at least 90 catches and 1,000 receiving yards in six consecutive seasons.
Anderson and his teammates have stressed finishing the season on a high note for both their team and themselves as they face an offseason of uncertainty.
“I can only control what (No.) 22 can control,” Anderson said. “Me personally, I believe I’m a damn good back in this league, so whether it’s here or somewhere else I’ll be fine.
“You try to let the young guys know, don’t worry about next year. Finish this year first. But to get to next year, start thinking about some of the things in the offseason you need to work on and need to do better. People think the offseason is going to be long, but it’s going to come up quick. It’s going to come up really, really quick. We’ll be back here before you know it.”
Hoping for Disney. Nose tackle Domata Peko was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate after his first season as a Denver Bronco. Peko had been named an alternate in years prior when he was in Cincinnati, but never in his 12-year career has he been called upon as a replacement.
“It’s been one of my dreams to go to the Pro Bowl since I got in the NFL,” he said. “… And I told all my D-line, if I go they’re coming with me. We’ll all go to Orlando and hang out with Mickey.”
Injury updates. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders was the only Bronco on the active roster to not practice Wednesday. Sanders has been dealing with an ankle injury. Fellow receiver Cody Latimer was limited with a thigh injury.
