Julius Thomas

More healing is necessary but there's a chance Broncos tight end Julius Thomas will return to play in the AFC West showdown Sunday night at Kansas City.

Thomas missed the Broncos' 39-36 victory Sunday against Miami and all but a few plays in their previous week's loss at St. Louis because of a severely sprained left ankle.

"I have had better days, and I have had worse days," Thomas said Monday. "You hope you just wake up one day and it feels good again, but that didn't happen last week. But it has improved."

Thomas made an NFL-record 12 touchdown receptions through nine games. He had such a big lead that two weeks later he still tops all NFL players in touchdowns.

Jacob Tamme would likely play in place of Thomas but had just one catch for -1 yard in Week 12 against the Dolphins. Because of that, and despite the offense he plays in, owners would have to consider him a risky start.