Julius Thomas (knee) participated in Broncos practice again Friday.

Per beat writer Mike Klis, Thomas was "moving better" in comparison to his Wednesday and Thursday workouts. He is going to start against the Chiefs.

Julius Thomas (knee) remained limited in Thursday's practice.

Thomas got in two limited practices last week before sitting out, so he's still not out of the woods. That being said, most signs point toward him returning against the Chiefs. Thomas will be a must start if he suits up.

Julius Thomas (knee) is practicing Wednesday.

Orange Julius got in two limited sessions to round out last week but was still held out of Sunday's overtime loss to New England. He's fully expected to return to the lineup this week against the Chiefs. Thomas is locked in as a TE1. In Week 11 against Kansas City, he caught three passes for 43 yards and a score.

Broncos interim coach Jack Del Rio told reporters Monday he expects Julius Thomas (knee) to return in Week 13 against the Chiefs.

Thomas is second among NFL tight ends in touchdown receptions (10), behind only Jimmy Graham. He'll be worth immediately plugging back into fantasy lineups as an elite TE1. In Thomas' absence Sunday night, Jacob Tamme wound up with the most production among Denver tight ends despite Virgil Green getting the "start." Joel Dreessen functioned mostly as an in-line blocker.

The Denver Post's Mike Klis expects Julius Thomas (knee) to return in Week 13 against the Chiefs.

Orange Julius has a "knee sprain" and it's "getting better." As Klis notes, Sunday night's game is "not conducive" to pass catchers like Thomas due to the inclement weather in Foxboro. In addition to Joel Dreessen, Klis anticipates Virgil Green playing "a lot" against the Patriots because he is a strong run blocker. Thomas should return as a top-five fantasy tight end in Week 13.

Julius Thomas (knee) is inactive for Sunday night's Week 12 game against the Patriots.

Thomas practiced on a limited basis this week, but wasn't expected to play despite being listed as questionable. Joel Dreessen will replace him in the starting lineup, with Jacob Tamme getting snaps on passing downs. The rest of the Broncos inactives are RB Ronnie Hillman, CB Champ Bailey, QB Zac Dysert, FS Michael Huff, C J.D. Walton, and OG Chris Kuper.

FOX Sports' Jay Glazer reports Julius Thomas (questionable, knee) would need a "miracle" to convince the Broncos to let him play on Sunday Night Football against New England.

Thomas should be penciled out of fantasy lineups in tonight's latest game. Look for Joel Dreessen to play the most snaps among Denver tight ends, with Jacob Tamme seeing some action on passing downs and Virgil Green playing in three-tight end jumbo packages. Thomas practiced twice this week, albeit on a limited basis, so it sounds like he should only miss one game.

Appearing on GameDay Morning, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported it's "not looking good" for Julius Thomas (knee) to play Sunday night against the Patriots.

Thomas will work out this morning, and the Broncos are expected to make a decision on him then. The Denver Post calls him 50-50 to play, leaving Orange Julius as a full-blown game-time decision. Fantasy owners need to have a backup plan in place. You can start by picking up Joel Dreessen, who would draw the start for the Broncos if Thomas can't play. Keep it locked here for updates.

Broncos interim coach Jack Del Rio was noncommittal Friday when asked about Julius Thomas' (knee, questionable) Week 12 status.

"Limited again today," said JDR. "We'll just have to make a determination." Thomas is shaping up as a full-blown game-time decision for Sunday's clash with the Patriots. Fantasy owners can protect themselves to some extent by picking up Joel Dreessen to start in case Thomas is inactive on Sunday Night Football.

Julius Thomas (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 12 after another limited practice on Friday.

Thomas was noticeably limited during both Thursday and Friday's practices. While signs still point toward Thomas being active against New England, it's entirely possible he'll be used in a rotation with Joel Dreessen, Jacob Tamme, and Virgil Green. In fantasy leagues, we'd still lean toward starting Thomas in the event indications continue to side with him being available. Fantasy owners need to track the situation closely entering Sunday.

Julius Thomas (knee) participated in Broncos practice again Friday.

Per USA Today's Lindsay Jones, Thomas "looked to be doing more in individual drills than yesterday," which is a good sign. Although he likely won't be 100 percent, Thomas now appears on track to start Sunday night's game against New England, where he'll continue to be a good bet for red-zone scores. Thomas' ten receiving touchdowns are second among tight ends behind only Jimmy Graham, who took the NFL lead with his 11th on Thursday night.

Julius Thomas (knee) returned to Broncos practice Thursday, but appeared "very limited."

It's possible Thomas will receive a "DNP" tag. Thomas' Week 12 status is still very much in the air. Fantasy owners need to have a back-up plan ready, especially since Denver is playing in the Sunday night game. Thomas' status will be updated no later than Friday afternoon.

Julius Thomas (knee) is not practicing Wednesday.

Speaking Monday, Broncos interim coach Jack Del Rio would only call Julius Thomas' knee injury a "sprain," and labeled him day to day.

JDR was extremely low on specifics. Both "sprain" and "day to day" could mean almost anything, though it does appear serious injury can be ruled out. Either way, Thomas is looking shaky for Sunday's showdown with the Patriots for the time being. Owners need to have contingency plan ready. Thomas' status will be updated no later than Wednesday.

Julius Thomas will undergo further testing on his knee Monday.

It looked like a really bad injury when Thomas got his knee bent the wrong way by Marcus Cooper's helmet in the third quarter Sunday night. He was able to walk it off and briefly got back in the game, but he spent most of the fourth quarter pacing around the sideline while watching Joel Dreessen operate at tight end. Thomas' owners should be hoping for a slight hyperextension or contusion diagnosis. We should have the results of the testing by Monday afternoon.

Julius Thomas had three catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in Week 11 against the Chiefs.

Thomas continues to dominate red-zone targets and scored on a nine-yard slant in the first quarter. It was just the first touchdown the Chiefs have allowed to a tight end all season. Thomas took a helmet to the knee from Marcus Cooper in the third quarter, but managed to stay in the game. He could miss practice time next week.

Julius Thomas (ankle) is active for Sunday night's Week 11 game against the Chiefs.

Thomas practiced in full this week and his status was never in doubt. Peyton Manning (ankle) is also active, as expected. Inactive for the Broncos are CB Champ Bailey, RB Ronnie Hillman, CB Tony Carter, QB Zac Dysert, LB Nate Irving, RB Chris Kuper and C J.D. Walton.

Julius Thomas (ankle) is probable for Week 11.

Thomas practiced in full this week and hasn't had any setbacks with his ankle injury. He'll be all systems go for Sunday night's game against the Chiefs.

Julius Thomas (ankle) is practicing in full this week.

Thomas is over the ankle injury he suffered in Week 8, as evidenced by his three catches for 96 yards and a touchdown last Sunday. He remains an elite TE1 play every week. The Chiefs are up next for Orange Julius.

Julius Thomas (ankle) is active for Week 10 against the Chargers.

Thomas' status was no longer in doubt after he was listed as probable on Friday's injury report. One of the league's premier red-zone threats, he's a top-five option for Week 10. Inactive for the Broncos are RB Ronnie Hillman, DT Sylvester Williams, C J.D. Walton, QB Zac Dysert, S Duke Ihenaco, OG Chris Kuper and CB Champ Bailey.