ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas, who suffered a left ankle sprain in the Broncos' Nov 16 loss in St. Louis, took part in the team’s Thanksgiving Day practice on a limited basis.

Thomas, who played just 13 snaps against the Rams and was then held out of the Broncos' win against the Dolphins this past weekend, was receiving treatment following the practice, but it was the most activity he has had on the practice field since the injury. Linebacker Brandon Marshall, who suffered a concussion in the fourth quarter of this past Sunday’s victory against the Miami Dolphins, did not take part in practice, but was cleared in the concussion protocol to begin some light exercise.

So, Marshall stretched with the team and took part in some individual dills during warm-ups. Marshall is the team’s leading tackler and has played 95.5 percent of the team’s defensive snaps this season.

Asked if Marshall and Thomas had made enough progress to be on track to play Sunday night in Kansas City, Broncos head coach John Fox said; "I don’t like trying to predict the future, we’ll see where they are (Friday)."

Cornerback Aqib Talib (hamstring) and cornerback Kayvon Webster (right shoulder) did not participate in practice. Talib did work with the team’s strength and conditioning coaches during practice.

Running backs Montee Ball (right groin) and Ronnie Hillman (left foot) continue to be held out of practice. Hillman, who was wearing a walking boot on his injured foot last week, was not using one Thursday. The Broncos continue to hope Ball can return to the practice field within the next two weeks.

Defensive end Quanterus Smith (ankle) and safety Quinton Carter (knee) were limited in both Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practice. Both are expected to be available to play Sunday.

Thursday also marked a year to the day when Fox visited the team’s complex for the first time following his heart valve replacement surgery last season. Fox missed four games, and last Thanksgiving was the first time he spoke to the team in person following his return to Denver from Charlotte, North Carolina, where the surgery had been performed.

"It is amazing what a year brings and how thankful you need to be," Fox said. " ... It brings you back to earth for sure."