Broncos TE Julius Thomas Should Return vs. Bills
The Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs in week two behind three receiving touchdowns from Julius Thomas, and they beat him on Sunday without him entirely. This is a balanced Broncos team, but there’s no question that the league’s leader in touchdown catches (12) will provide a significant boost to the offense when he returns.
According to his own prognosis, that could be sooner rather than later (per an update from ESPN’s Jeff Legwold).
“I’m encouraged with how it’s going, we’ll see how it’s going this week,’’ Thomas said. “I hate having to watch our team go out there and play without me … Got to be cautious, go to make sure everything happens in the right time and come back when I’m fully ready to go.’’
That’s a pretty vague timeframe, but the expectation is that since Thomas was close to being ready to go this past Sunday — he was considered a game-time decision — that he will be ready to go against the Bills this week with a better week of practices and getting some more work in.
The Broncos lived in the red zone against the Chiefs on Sunday, but they had to settle for a lot of field goals. In fact, Connor Barth tied a team record by making five and they were all under 40 yards. Thomas knows what kind of weapon he is in the red area, and he says he even pictured himself making some big plays while the Broncos struggled to put six on the board.
“I can’t lie to you and say that I don’t picture myself making big plays,’’ Thomas said. “Even when I’m not out there … That’s absolutely how I look at it, I think you have to look at it that way. I’m looking forward to getting back, so maybe my presence can help from kicking a little less field goals.’’
If the Broncos can get Thomas back, it would be a great addition to the offense they have put out the last two weeks, one that has run the ball really well and one that appears to have playoff-ready toughness. Thomas would bring a great presence on third down and in the red zone that the Broncos have lacked these last two weeks.