The return of defensive tackle Marcus Thomas could not have come at a more opportune time for the Denver Broncos.

Thomas, who played Sunday for the first time this season after suffering an injury in training camp, had an immediate impact on the field. He was third on the team with eight tackles against the San Diego Chargers, which led all defensive linemen.

“It was just good to be back finally,” Thomas said. “It was my first game back, everybody’s already ahead of me, just knowing the plays and the speed of the game — it’s a lot easier for them. So I just had to get back in that game, the flow, game speed. I felt pretty good.”

However, even with his success Sunday, Thomas and the coaching staff know that he still can improve on his solid game.

“He’s got some catching up to do — both what to do and how to do it — because with the D-line, you’re fighting so close to you, you have to be able to do well early in the down otherwise it could be over,” Head Coach John Fox said. “There are some ‘what to dos’ and obviously ‘how to dos’ that he needs to practice, and this has been a good couple of days for him, too.”

Thomas will now be leaned on more heavily with the loss of fellow defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson. The Broncos placed Vickerson on injured reserve this week after he tore ligaments in his ankle during the Chargers game.

“I feel bad it happened with Vick because he’s a great player,” Thomas said. “I just hope that the coaches continue with the same trust in me as they did with him.”

Thomas is welcoming the bye this week, as it allows him to get healthy and ingrained in the team’s plans and scheme so that he can come out in Miami fully healed and caught up to speed.

“I’m still trying to get healthy myself and get back right,” Thomas said. “With the bye week, I have time to heal my injuries even more. So, it’s good.”

-Kenny Legan