INDIANAPOLIS — It is not promising that tight end Julius Thomas will return to the Broncos.

During the NFL scouting combine this week, the Broncos are meeting with agents of several of their free-agent players, including Terrance Knighton, Demaryius Thomas, Orlando Franklin and Rahim Moore.

There is no meeting scheduled, however, with Frank Bauer, the agent representing Julius Thomas. The talented, but ankle-troubled tight end apparently wants to test free agency when the market opens March 10. He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The Broncos had offered Julius Thomas a multi-year contract worth $8 million a year back in July — a deal that would have made him the third-highest paid tight end behind only Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski.

Julius Thomas got off to a terrific start in 2014, setting a nine-game NFL record with 12 touchdown catches. But then came the second serious ankle injury of his young career, a setback that limited Thomas to only five catches — none for touchdowns — in the Broncos’ final seven games.

It’s still possible the Broncos could re-sign Thomas, although he will be able to first seek bids from other pursuers. He figures to draw heavy interest, because when healthy, Thomas is difficult to guard.

If the Broncos cannot re-sign Julius Thomas, there is a deep group of “receiving” tight ends eligible for free agency this season, including Jordan Cameron, Owen Daniels, Jermaine Gresham and Charles Clay.

C.J. must re-prove status. Four games into the 2014 season, C.J. Anderson was the Broncos’ No. 4 running back who didn’t get to dress against the Arizona Cardinals.

By season’s end, Anderson was a Pro Bowler. But Anderson started the final eight games with John Fox as head coach. Gary Kubiak is the Broncos’ coach now.

Will Anderson start the 2015 season as the No. 1 running back, ahead of Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman?

“He’s got to go earn that,” Kubiak said. “When he walked off the field last year he was playing that way. He’s a young player. I told him that when I talked to him. I said, “C.J. when you come back for the offseason you need to handle yourself like you’re the starter. … I think he’s ready to do that.”

Fox, Del Rio speak. It seemed so soon, but there they were, John Fox standing before the combine podium Wednesday as head coach of the Chicago Bears and Jack Del Rio wearing the eye patch insignia as head coach of the Oakland Raiders.

Fox deferred judgment on the beleaguered quarterback he inherited, Jay Cutler.

“You know everybody’s got perceptions,” said Fox, whose teams went 46-18 the past four seasons with the Broncos. “But getting to know the guy, this is a relationship business, and that takes time. So I don’t want to stand up here and give you a final evaluation when I’m maybe (partly) through the test.

Roberts kicking off. Colorado State’s Jared Roberts is one of five true field goals kickers invited to the NFL scouting combine. He will go through a kicking audition here Thursday. Each kicker will get nine kickoffs and 15 field-goal attempts — three each from the 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50. They will alternate hash marks until the 50 yarder, which will be placed dead center.

“Real confident,” Roberts said. “That’s the only reason I’m out here is to prove myself in that skills drill.”