Broncos TE Julius Thomas hurts ankle against Rams

ST. LOUIS (AP) Peyton Manning is without two of his top three targets after the Denver Broncos lost tight end Julius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders to injuries against St. Louis.

Thomas leads the NFL with 12 touchdown catches. He hurt his ankle in the first quarter Sunday.

Sanders caught a 42-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. But he suffered a concussion on a hard hit from Rams safety Rodney McLeod on the opening drive of the second half.

McLeod was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play.

Sanders is the Broncos' second-leading receiver, entering the game with 62 catches.

Denver backup running back Montee Ball's return also was questionable after he aggravated a groin injury that sidelined him for five games.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL