Ex-Broncos star WR Thomas dies at 33
Former Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas died Thursday at 33, according to multiple reports.
Thomas was found in his Atlanta-area home in the evening, police told reporters. Police said his death appears to have been caused by a medical issue.
Thomas, who would have turned 34 on Christmas Day, was the Broncos’ first-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Georgia Tech product played in nine seasons for the Broncos before being traded to the Texans in the middle of the 2018 season. He played for the Jets in 2019 and retired earlier this year.
The four-time Pro Bowl player had five 1,000-yard receiving seasons and three double-digit touchdown seasons with the Broncos from 2012 to 2016. He thrived with Peyton Manning at quarterback during the team’s Super Bowl title run after the 2015 regular season.
Wilson intends to stay in Seattle
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said any news of him waiving his no-trade clause is a “nonstory,” and he’s still set on fulfilling the remainder of his contract, which runs through 2023.
“That’s my hope. My hope’s not to just fulfill it. Hopefully I get to play here for 20 years in my career,” Wilson said via the Tacoma News Tribune. “Will that happen? I don’t know, but that’s my prayer, that’s my hope.”
For Wilson to hit the 20-year mark in his NFL career, he would have to play through his age-43 season in Seattle.
The Seahawks, though, have other problems at the moment, and unless they think shipping Wilson in a megadeal can jump-start a rapid rebuild, they’re still better off with him under center.
In other Seahawks news, wide receiver DK Metcalf did not practice for a second consecutive day because of a foot injury and an illness.
Two key Browns go on COVID list
Anthony Walker Jr. might not
be able to help the Browns chase around Lamar Jackson on Sunday.
The team’s leading tackler was put on the reserve-COVID-19 list Thursday along with punter Jamie Gillan, and both likely will miss this week’s vital matchup against Jackson and the AFC North-leading Baltimore Ravens.
Walker and Gillan join tight end David Njoku, who leads the team in yards receiving, on the COVID-19 list. Njoku was put on the list earlier this week and his status for this week’s game remains unclear.
Lions QB Goff back at practice
The Lions put cornerback Bobby Price on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Quarterback Jared Goff returned to practice as a full participant after missing Wednesday because of an illness.
Running back D’Andre Swift (shoulder) remained out of practice and tight end T.J. Hockenson (hand) and tackle Penei Sewell (shoulder, illness) were downgraded to DNPs.