The 27-year-old Thomas, Denver's first-round pick in 2010, has compiled 4,483 yards on 297 receptions and 35 touchdowns in three years with Manning. He has not missed a game since 2011. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is working out in Atlanta and will not attend the team’s offseason program.
Thomas, who was designated as Broncos’ franchise player earlier this month, also said he will not take part in the annual workouts at Duke University with quarterback Peyton Manning and the team’s other wide receivers.
The Broncos, who open their offseason program on April 13, have been working on a long-term deal with Thomas’ representatives.
Thomas spoke to ESPN.com by phone Monday from an XBox/”Call of Duty” event to benefit veterans in Los Angeles.
“I’ll be back in Georgia, trying to get the body right, get the ankle right,” Thomas told ESPN when asked about the Broncos’ offseason program and the workouts at Duke. “Then when it’s time to go, make sure I’m 100 percent ready to go.”
On March 2, the Broncos placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Thomas. He will be tendered a $12.823 million contract for 2015 — the average of the top five NFL salaries at his position. He is allowed to negotiate with other teams, but the Broncos would have the chance to match any offer sheet or receive two first-round draft picks from the signing team.
Thomas has not signed the tender offer as a franchise player, with a July 15 deadline to reach agreement on a multi-year deal with Denver.
The 27-year-old Thomas, Denver’s first-round pick in 2010, has compiled 4,483 yards on 297 receptions and 35 touchdowns in three years with Manning. He has not missed a game since 2011.
Thomas has three straight seasons of more than 1,400 yards and 10 touchdowns — stats matched only by former wide receivers Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison. In 2014, Thomas had 111 receptions for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns.
