Denver Broncos

Former NFL wide receiver Demaryius Thomas' death at age 33 in December was the result of "complications of a seizure disorder," according to an autopsy report released to the public Friday.

Kevin Vaughan and Mike Klis of 9NEWS Denver provided more information.

Thomas played in the NFL for 10 seasons, making four Pro Bowls and winning two AFC titles and one Super Bowl. He registered five straight 1,000-yard seasons for the Denver Broncos from 2012-2016.

The ex-Georgia Tech star played eight-plus years in Denver before being traded to the Houston Texans in 2018. He finished his playing career with the New York Jets in 2019.

According to Ken Belson of the New York Times, Boston University researchers posthumously diagnosed the wideout with Stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

CTE, as it is more commonly known, is defined by the Mayo Clinic as the term "used to describe brain degeneration likely caused by repeated head traumas."

It's unclear how much of a factor CTE played in Thomas' death.

Thomas suffered from seizures following a 2019 car accident. Dr. Ann McKee, the BU pathologist who studied Thomas' brain, said that seizures were not generally associated with CTE.

"He had two different conditions in parallel," Dr. McKee said.

Ultimately, the autopsy report reiterated McKee's stance regarding the matter, in that there is no evidence that there is a relationship between CTE and developing a seizure disorder.

In addition, McKee has previously noted CTE does not cause death.

"CTE itself does not cause death," she said per ABC News. "You don't die from CTE. What CTE does is it changes your behavior and your personality."

Thomas' loved ones did notice a change in behavior.

"Those closest to him said his behavior became increasingly erratic in the last year of his life, which was marked by the memory loss, paranoia and isolation that are hallmarks of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, the degenerative brain disease linked to repeated head hits," Belson wrote.

Thomas was arguably one of the NFL's most-loved players during his time in the league. There wasn't a shortage of comments regarding his tremendous character in the days and weeks that followed his death.

"Demaryius stopped to take time to see, notice, and visit with ordinary people," Cindy Trollinger, board president of the Bountiful Hope Foundation with which Thomas worked, said to Sean Keeler of the Denver Post. "This is what is so special about Demaryius, and makes me cry with tears of gratitude."

Many of his teammates made public comments, including fellow Super Bowl champion DeMarcus Ware.

"I just try to spread the love," Thomas once said when looking back on his time contributing to children in the Denver community.

DT made a big impact through his platform, notably attending Boys and Girls Club events, packing gifts for the holidays and hosting football camps, among other benevolent acts.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick suffered a torn ACL during practice Tuesday, per Mike Klis of 9News.

Patrick was carted off the field after going up for a catch.

Klis added that Patrick didn't put any weight on his right leg as he was helped to the training room.

"It breaks your heart," Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said to reporters, adding that other players would need to step up in his absence.

Patrick, 28, has emerged as an important receiver for the Broncos over the past two seasons. He had a breakout campaign in 2020, catching 51 passes for 742 yards and six touchdowns, and followed that up last year with 53 receptions for 734 yards and five scores.

In November, the Broncos signed him to a three-year extension worth up to $34.5 million.

Patrick was expected to be Russell Wilson's No. 3 option at receiver behind Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton. His loss will be a big one for a Broncos team with playoff aspirations.

"It's tough," safety Kareem Jackson told reporters after practice. "We can't replace a guy like that when stuff like that happens. Obviously, we're not really sure what the magnitude of it is, but hopefully it's not anything serious and that in a couple weeks or some time rehabbing, he'll be back with us this year. But it's definitely tough."

With Patrick likely out for the season, look for KJ Hamler to take on a bigger role in the passing game.

Veteran defensive lineman Derek Wolfe announced his retirement from the NFL on Friday at age 32.

Wolfe made it official with a video posted on the Denver Broncos' official Twitter account:

Wolfe's first eight NFL seasons were spent with the Broncos before he signed with the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the 2020 campaign. After playing for Baltimore in 2020, a hip injury kept him out for the entire 2021 season.

Denver selected Wolfe with the No. 36 overall pick in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft out of the University of Cincinnati.

He was instantly an important piece of the Broncos defense, starting all 16 games as a rookie and remaining a starter throughout his tenure.

Wolfe was one of the best rookie defenders in the NFL, finishing with 40 tackles, nine tackles of loss and six sacks, the latter of which was a career high until he recorded seven sacks in his final season with the Broncos in 2019.

His biggest accomplishment came during the 2015 season when he helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers.

Wolfe started three games during that playoff run and racked up 15 tackles and 2.5 sacks for a defense that essentially carried Denver to victory.

Overall, Wolfe started 116 of the 122 regular-season games he played in during his career and finished with 350 tackles, 52 tackles for loss, 34 sacks and one interception.

Wolfe's versatility and ability to play all over the defensive line made him a supremely valuable player for the Broncos, and his presence is a big reason they reached the playoffs in each of his first four seasons.

The only thing that held Wolfe back was a history of injuries, as he missed time because of injury in six of the nine NFL seasons he played in.

When healthy, Wolfe was a productive and important player, even if he didn't receive the same level of credit as other Broncos defensive stars of the time, such as Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.

The Denver Broncos and quarterback Russell Wilson reportedly haven't entered formal negotiations about a contract extension despite confirmation from both sides they're hoping for a long-term partnership following his arrival from the Seattle Seahawks.

Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported Friday the "general acknowledgment" of interest from both Wilson and the Broncos is the extent of the situation so far, though the discussions could heat up after the team's ownership change is approved, which is expected in August.

"We want him here a long time," Broncos general manager George Paton said. "We didn't give up all we gave up for him to be here for two years, that's for sure. Any contract talks with any of our players, we just keep in-house."

Wilson added: "I'm excited to be here for a long time, and I think that will definitely happen so we'll see where it goes."

The nine-time Pro Bowl selection is under contract through 2023 as part of a four-year, $140 million deal he signed with Seattle.

Denver posted a 7-10 record last season despite having the NFL's eighth-ranked defense (326.1 yards allowed per game) and a rushing attack that was tied for seventh in yards per carry (4.5).

The team's passing game simply didn't deliver enough game-changing plays to supplement those strengths as Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock, who was sent to the Hawks in the Wilson trade, combined to throw just 20 touchdowns in 17 games.

That's why the Broncos made an all-in move to acquire Wilson in March, giving up Lock, tight end Noah Fant, defensive end Shelby Harris and five draft picks, including a pair of first-rounders.

Wilson should have MVP potential as he throws to a group of pass-catchers that includes Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick.

If the aerial attack sees the expected boost and the other phases remain as strong as they were in 2021, the Broncos could emerge as a Super Bowl contender.

Meanwhile, the contract situation isn't overly time-sensitive since the 33-year-old has two full seasons left on his previous deal.

Quarterback deals have exploded since the Ohio native signed the contract with Seattle. Its average value ($35 million) has dropped to ninth at the position, per Spotrac.

Based on that trend, the Broncos would probably be wise to work toward an extension in the near future since the contract values are only going to continue rising.

That said, the main focus right now is trying to make the playoffs for the first time since winning a Super Bowl in 2015, when the offense was led by Peyton Manning.

Denver opens the regular season Sept. 12 with a Monday Night Football road trip to face Wilson's old team, the Seahawks.

Russell Wilson might be a nine-time Pro Bowler, but the Denver Broncos star doesn't come without some baggage in the view of one NFL general manager.

"The difference with Russell is, he is a lot more high-maintenance," the GM said to Mike Sando of The Athletic. "He’s got the entourage, he needs the office at the facility, the extra hotel rooms on the road, all that stuff. It will be interesting how that dynamic works with a rookie head coach and rookie offensive coordinator, how they jell."

There are plenty of reasons why the Seattle Seahawks could justify trading Wilson.

Perhaps his four-year, $140 million contract became too cumbersome and limited the team's ability to improve the rest of the roster. The 33-year-old just posted the lowest QBR (54.7) and fewest passing yards (3,113) of his career, per Pro Football Reference. Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider might want to reorient the offense around the running game.

Equally plausible among the justifications is that the Seahawks simply grew tired of the entire Russell Wilson experience.

In September 2018, Sports Illustrated's Greg Bishop and Robert Klemko reported how the franchise's treatment of Wilson was rubbing others on the team the wrong way. One former member of the team thought Carroll believed the star signal-caller "too emotionally fragile to handle" the kind of criticism dished out to teammates.

It wasn't the first time those concerns had been expressed.

Sando and colleagues Michael-Shawn Dugar and Jayson Jenks provided more insight into the Seahawks' internal drama, with Wilson front and center, in February 2021

Carroll "protected and enabled Wilson, undermining the two words he had built his whole program on: Always compete." Wilson, meanwhile, became frustrated when he felt he wasn't able to wield the kind of influence befitting a player of his status.

As much as the team's relationship with Wilson became strained, Seattle still made the playoffs in eight of his 10 years under center. If he can help lift the Broncos in the postseason, they'll be more than willing to make whatever off-field concessions are required.