The Denver Broncos have not looked as dominant over the past few weeks despite getting wins. The team recently just scooted by the Miami Dolphins to win the game 39-36, but that type of play will not stand for the remainder of the year if Denver intends to get into the postseason and back to the Super Bowl. Health will be a major factor in the remaining games and after taking a hit in the run game, their receivers are hobbled with injuries as well.
All eyes are on Julius Thomas heading into the matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The tight end has been hampered by an ankle injury over the past few weeks. He was ruled out for the matchup against the Dolphins and might not be able to play against the Chiefs. The Denver Post reports that Thomas suffered a severe left ankle sprain and is doubtful for the game.
Thomas returned to practice on Thursday, but was extremely limited in the game. Head coach John Fox has ruled the tight end day to day in the injury report, but they will not play him if Thomas is still suffering some pain. According to the tight end, the ankle is feeling much better.
"I have had better days, and I have had worse days," Thomas said. "You hope you just wake up one day and it feels good again, but that didn't happen last week. But it has improved."
One thing the Broncos are capitalizing on is the success of undrafted free agent CJ Anderson. Denver got hit hard with injuries in the run game. Starter Montee Ball went down with a significant groin injury. Backup Ronnie Hillman ha a left foot injury. That has left Anderson to get the majority of the workload, something he is capitalizing on. Against Miami, he rushed for 167 yards and one touchdown. He also had 90 yards against the Oakland Raiders along with 73 yards receiving. Fantasy owners would be wise to garb the rookie off the waiver wire if he is still available.
"I don't know what's going to happen, but I just look at it like I need to get myself ready to handle whatever they ask me to do," Anderson said, via ESPN.com. "[Studesville] tells me to go in and I go in. He tells me to run it, I run it. If you need to block, you block, if you need to catch the ball, you catch the ball. And if you need to wait a bit to do it, you wait and stay ready."
