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The reality of Demaryius Thomas' departure hit the Broncos receivers early Wednesday morning when they saw the empty cloakroom that belonged to him as they headed for their morning meeting.
Thomas, the oldest player of the Broncos, was traded to the Houston Texans on Tuesday, leaving a void on several levels – teammate, mentor, friend.
"The 48 hours have been difficult for me," said wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders after training. "It's hard to see him go. It was difficult (to come) to work this morning and even to go out to train. But at the same time, I have a job to do. "
Sanders, who is now the leader of the Broncos group of young receivers, gets the right grades.
Will the Broncos fail Thomas? Absolutely.
Should they act quickly to try to save their season Sunday against Thomas Texans? Yes.
"I was really sad to see him go, but we all have a job to do and if we do not do it, people will lose their jobs," said rookie Courtland Sutton, the biggest beneficiary of the start from Thomas.
Receiver Tim Patrick said, "Super excited to be able to play longer and play more. I'm happy, but I'm really not happy that D. left. "
The depth card of the receiver is now Sanders, Sutton and Patrick. DaeSean Hamilton (sprained from MCL) will take 3rd place on his return after the start.
Coach Vance Joseph spoke to the group at a team meeting on Wednesday morning. His message?
"It was not a white flag, it's a green flag," Joseph said. "We are going ahead. It will make us better now and in the future. We are at full speed for Sunday. "
Meanwhile, in Houston, Thomas received the number 87 and will debut Sunday against the Broncos.
"It was strange to be traded first, then to come here and be ready to play in the Mile High City where you've been playing for eight and a half, nine years, it's very strange," said Thomas. . "I think it's a great opportunity for me. I think the change will be good here.
Thomas said the emotions would be "difficult" Sunday, "but that's the ball and I have to face it."
The Broncos defense now has the task of dealing with Thomas in a match. Cornerback Chris Harris said he would have the advantage if he faced Thomas "because I am so good".
The Broncos will need Sanders to continue to perform well (on 100 catches and 1,320 yards) and increased production of Sutton (17 catches, 324 yards, three touchdowns) and Patrick (3/56/1).
Sutton was drafted in the second round with an eye on Thomas's replacement in 2019. The transition came earlier than expected.
"Since I'm in the position I am, I have to make sure I play every day in practice, at the film level, and of course every time we play," Sutton said. "I have to make sure I go out and perform at the level I'm supposed to perform."
Sutton has been strictly a downfield option for the Broncos this season, but it will be interesting to see how offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave will deploy it on short to medium length routes.
"It's a second-round pick that probably should have been a first-round pick," Joseph said. "I think Courtland can be special. Now he has to prove it with DaeSean and Tim Patrick. It's a young room (receiver), but she has talent. "
Thomas may have left but his young teammates will not forget him.
"D. T. is my guy, "said Hamilton. "When I arrived as a rookie, D.T. was one of those with whom I had a close connection, an interlocutor whom I could talk to, someone whom I could find at any time. I will always support him for mentoring. "
Case Keenum, the quarterback, said, "It will be one of those guys, I'll tell my kids and I hope my grandchildren with whom I can play. Special, special player (and) special person. "
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