NFL Notebook: Former Broncos star Demaryius Thomas dead at 33

Unfortunately, we need to open this week’s NFL Notebook with a sad development. One of the more well-known players in the game over the past 15 years passed away Thursday night, and that’s this week’s top story.

Demaryius Thomas: 1987-2021

Former wide receiver Demaryius Thomas was found dead at his home at the age of 33. It’s far too early for an official cause of death, but preliminary reports say his death may have resulted from a pre-existing medical issue.

Thomas was a four-time Pro Bowler, and he spent most of his 10-year NFL career with the Denver Broncos. While in a Denver uniform, he caught 665 passes for 9,055 yards and 60 touchdowns, all good for top-three spots in the history of that franchise. In total, he finished his career with 724 receptions, 9,763 yards, and 63 touchdowns.

Vikings Hold Off Furious Steelers Rally

Transitioning to on-field news, this week’s action kicked off with the Minnesota Vikings nearly blowing a huge lead Thursday night. Led by a 200-yard effort from running back Dalvin Cook, Minnesota raced out to a 29-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

However, visiting Pittsburgh cut the deficit to just eight points with 4:14 to go, as a touchdown and two-point conversion made the score 36-28. Pittsburgh even had one last sustained drive late in the game that got into the red zone, but a last-second pass from Ben Roethlisberger fell incomplete, and the homestanding Vikings survived.

Bills/Bucs Headlines Sunday Schedule

A game many saw as a possible Super Bowl preview comes in the late window, as Buffalo heads to Tampa Bay.

The Bucs have more than held up their end of the bargain and, at 9-3, are the only NFC South team with a winning record. Buffalo, meanwhile, is reeling after Monday’s loss to the New England Patriots, the fourth in their last seven games.

Wide Receiver Update: Robinson Likely In, Cobb Likely Out

In addition, Sunday’s slate also features a nighttime battle between longtime rivals. The Green Bay Packers will host the Chicago Bears, and each team has a wide receiver battling injuries. For Chicago, Allen Robinson is likely to return after dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries earlier this year.

However, Green Bay’s Randall Cobb may miss not just this weekend’s game, but several more. Reports have surfaced that the injury he suffered against the Rams required core muscle surgery.