Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders' playing status is still up in the air after being diagnosed with a concussion last weekend when the Broncos lost to the St. Louis Rams. Sanders dove for a deep pass along the sideline during last Sunday's game, and he took a vicious hit from a St. Louis defender. Sanders left the game and did not return.

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Sanders was expected to miss practice time this week while he went through the league's concussion protocol, which requires players to pass certain milestones in order to be able to practice or play. Sanders missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday according to the Denver Post, and his playing status for this coming weekend is currently listed as questionable.

Sanders has emerged as a favorite target of Peyton Manning this season, and his loss would be difficult for Denver to withstand, as they do not appear to have a replacement on the roster who can fill Sanders' shoes. In 10 games so far this season, Sanders has 67 catches for 954 yards and seven touchdowns, but he has been on fire lately, amassing 440 receiving yards and six touchdowns in the past four games.

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The Sanders injury is just more bad news for an already-depleted Broncos team. Star tight end Julius Thomas left the St. Louis game early with an ankle injury and has also not practiced yet this week. Friday's practice is expected to be critical for both players' chances of playing on Sunday.

The Broncos also lost running back Montee Ball on Sunday when he suffered a recurrence of the groin injury that forced him to miss five games already this season. These injuries come on the heels of running back Ronnie Hillman suffering a foot injury two weeks ago against Oakland. Ball and Hillman, though officially listed as doubtful, are both expected to miss at least two more games.

Below you can see more about the Broncos' situation following the loss to St. Louis.