ENGLEWOOD, Colo. --Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and inside linebacker Brandon Marshall both returned to practice Thursday as the Broncos continued getting ready for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Thomas missed Wednesday's work with a calf injury, but had been expected to return Thursday. Marshall's status depended on the state of his sore shoulder, which hindered his tackling in last Sunday's game.
"We have to see how he progresses this week to see if he's going to play for us or not," Joseph said Wednesday. "If he's sore and can't tackle, he cannot play. But hopefully, he gets better as the week goes on."
Five Broncos did not practice Thursday: right tackle Menelik Watson (calf), quarterback Paxton Lynch (sprained right shoulder) and wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders (sprained right ankle), Cody Latimer (knee), and Isaiah McKenzie (sprained right ankle). Sanders and McKenzie have already been ruled out for the Chargers game.
Outside linebacker Shane Ray and tight end Jake Butt practiced for a second consecutive day Thursday. Both practiced Wednesday for the first time in the regular season. Butt's work was his first as a professional; prior to this week he was limited to rehabilitation work as he recovered from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
Butt could be activated from the non-football-injury list "any day," Joseph said after practice Wednesday.
