Julius Thomas Injury: Updates on Broncos Star's Ankle and Return

Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas finds himself dealing with an ankle injury suffered vs. the St. Louis Rams in Week 11. 

He was inactive for Week 12 vs. Miami and also missed the Week 13 matchup vs. Kansas City. He was active in Week 14 but did not play one snap against Buffalo. He's active for Week 15.

Continue for updates.

Sunday, Dec. 14

Thomas Active for Week 15

DenverBroncos.com's staff confirmed Thomas is ready to play in Week 15:

Friday, Dec. 12

Thomas Listed as Probable

Troy Renck of The Denver Post updates Thomas' status:

 Jeff Legwold of ESPN added more:

Wednesday, Dec. 10

Thomas Limited in Practice

John Fox briefly commented on Julius Thomas' status heading into Week 15, per Tom Krasovic of U-T San Diego, who also provided an update on the tight end's practice status for Wednesday: 

Tuesday, Dec. 9

Thomas 'Ready to Play' in Week 15

Mike Klis of The Denver Post provides an update on Thomas' status for Week 15, courtesy of the tight end:

"

Julius Thomas is confident the week-to-week uncertainty about his playing status is resolved.

"I'm looking forward to this week," he said.

[...]

He is planning to play Sunday at San Diego. Another Broncos starter, weakside linebacker Danny Trevathan, is eligible to play against the Chargers.

"

Sunday, Dec. 7

Thomas Active In Week 14, Doesn't Play 

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Julius Thomas' status for Week 14:

Despite being active, Thomas did not see the field. Coach John Fox talked about his reasoning for keeping Thomas on the sideline after the Broncos' 24-17 win, via Mike Rodak of ESPN.com:

Friday, Dec. 5

Thomas Listed as Questionable

Troy Renck of The Denver Post has the latest on Thomas:

Thursday, Dec. 4

Thomas Continues Practice

Troy Renck of The Denver Post has an update on Thomas' practice status on Thursday:

Wednesday, Dec. 3

Thomas Ramps up Practice

Jeff Legwold of ESPN has an update on Thomas' status:

Monday, Dec. 1

Thomas Speaks on His Status

Julius Thomas spoke about his injured ankle, via Troy Renck of The Denver Post:

Jeff Legwold of ESPN passed along more comments from Thomas on his injury:

"

I’m encouraged with how it’s going, we’ll see how it’s going this week. 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.

"

Sunday, Nov. 30

Thomas Out vs. Chiefs

Mike Klis of The Denver Post reported on Julius Thomas' status for Week 13:

Friday, Nov. 28

Thomas Questionable vs. Chiefs

Andrew Mason of Broncos.com has an update on Thomas' status for Sunday:

Thursday, Nov. 27

Thomas Returns to Practice

Mike Klis of The Denver Post confirmed Thomas participated in practice today.

Wednesday, Nov. 26

Thomas Misses Practice

Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com has the latest update on Julius Thomas from Wednesday's practice at Dove Valley: 

"

Tight end Julius Thomas was also on the field after missing last week's game because of a sprained ankle, but did not practice, instead working with the strength and conditioning coaches. Thomas did not practice last week, but he was on the field watching during the week.

"

Monday, Nov. 24

Thomas Speaks on His Recovery

Troy Renck of The Denver Post provided Thomas' comments:

Sunday, Nov. 23

Thomas Out for Week 12

Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com announced Thomas' status:

Friday, Nov. 21

Thomas Questionable vs. Miami

Andrew Mason of Broncos.com has the latest on Thomas:

Thomas Has Helmet and Cleats at Practice

The Broncos and Mike Klis of the Denver Post have an update on Thomas:

Thursday, Nov. 20

Thomas At Practice Without Helmet

Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com reported on Julius Thomas' activity from Broncos practice:

Monday, Nov. 17

Thomas Listed As Day-To-Day

Chris Mortensen of ESPN updated Julius Thomas' status following his injury on Sunday:

Mike Klis of the Denver Post later shared more information on Thomas' ankle:

Sunday, Nov. 16

Thomas Injures Ankle vs. Rams

The Broncos confirmed his exit from the contest:  

Thomas was later downgraded to out, via Patrick Smyth of the Broncos:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported on Thomas following the game:

However, Adam Schefter of ESPN was hearing differently regarding Thomas' status:

One of Peyton Manning's other favorite targets, Emmanuel Sanders, later left the game with a concussion, contributing to a rough day for the Broncos:

Injuries have been a part of Thomas' career narrative thus far. He missed two games last season in late November with a knee injury and played just four games in 2012 coming off ankle surgery the previous year. 

Unfortunately for Thomas and the Broncos, injuries could be a part of his NFL legacy. This is now the fourth straight season he's left the field with an ailment.

Everyone in Denver is holding his or her breath, waiting to get a more definitive word on Thomas' injury. Manning loves to use tight ends in any situation, so having one who can simply overpower smaller defensive backs and linebackers makes Thomas an immensely valuable weapon. 

You also hate to see injuries continually hold back a player with incredible talent. Thomas has spent as much time on the sidelines as he has on the field throughout his career, and here we have to talk about another unfortunate injury to one of the NFL's promising young stars. 

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