NEU » (.450) with eight homers and 16 RBI since July 1.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Demaryius Thomas aching left hip only bothers him when he makes sharp cuts or takes a hit.In other words, just about everything the Denver Broncos receiver does on the field.Still, Thomas feels optimistic about his playing status Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts.The Broncos will take an extra cautious approach with Thomas to make sure he stays strong for the season.Understandable, since last year Thomas dealt with a neck injury that lingered for most of the season.For a second straight day, Thomas was limited in practice. He took the same number of reps Thursday as the day before, but these were a little more significant, coach Gary Kubiak said.We try to script him the right way to get reps, but not have him waste a lot of running in other areas, Kubiak said.Thomas said he hurt the hip on his second catch in a season-opening win over Carolina on Thursday -- a short reception during the Broncos second drive. He had an MRI and then had it sent off for a second opinion.Protocol, he said.Steadily, his hip is getting less and less sore. The extra days of rest have definitely helped.I think Ill be fine, said Thomas, who signed a five-year, $70 million contract before last season.Were still going to take it day by day. ... Come game time, nothing to worry about then because youre either going to go out and be 100 (percent) to help the team or be on the sideline.Although hes optimistic, hes learned the painful way not to rush back.Thomas was bothered by a neck ailment after taking a hit from Minnesota safety Harrison Smith last October. It stayed with him.And while Thomas posted his second consecutive 100-catch season and fourth straight season with at least 1,300 yards receiving, he was a non-factor in the playoffs, catching just seven of 21 passes thrown his way for 60 yards and no touchdowns.Thomas has been hampered by injuries before, missing the first five games in 2011 while recovering from an offseason Achilles tendon injury and a broken thumb suffered in training camp.In 2010, the first-round pick out of Georgia Tech missed the first game of his rookie season with a foot ailment. He missed more later in the season because of a balky ankle.Lately, hes been extremely durable -- starting every game since 2012.Knock on wood, Thomas said as he did just that on his locker. It (injuries) happens with what we do as a profession. You keep getting your treatment and hopefully by game day youre ready to go and hopefully nothing freaky happens.Should Thomas be limited, things would open up for receiver Emmanuel Sanders, along with Cody Latimer and Jordan Taylor. Bennie Fowler could potentially see more playing time as well.First, though, he has to fully mend. Fowler was a DNP -- did not practice -- for a second straight day.The 23-year-old receiver from Michigan State has been sidelined since breaking a bone in his left elbow during a preseason game on Aug. 11. Fowler said hes 100 percent, but would leave it up to the coaching staff whether he would play.I know that D.T. might be struggling a little bit with his hip right now, Fowler said. But at the same time, I cant go out there and risk myself getting hurt and setting myself back.Game notes DE Derek Wolfe was limited in practice because of a sore neck. He practiced yesterday and (it) got a little sore on him, Kubiak said. Well see where hes at (Friday). ... OL Ty Sambrailo (elbow/ankle) was limited in practice Thursday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Custom Chicago Blackhawks Jerseys . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Chicago Blackhawks Shirts . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. https://www.cheapblackhawks.com/ .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Chicago Blackhawks Pro Shop . PAUL, Minn. Wholesale Blackhawks Jerseys . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. NEW YORK -- Steven Matz was sailing along with a no-hitter intact, his pitch count climbing in 96-degree heat. But as the buzz began to build at Citi Field, Terry Collins stomach was churning in the dugout.Smack in the middle of a 5-1 victory over San Diego on Sunday, the New York Mets manager couldnt help but recall that tension-filled night four years ago when he let Johan Santana -- making his 11th start since shoulder surgery -- throw a career-high 134 pitches to finish the only no-hitter in franchise history.Santana, of course, got injured later that season and hasnt made it back to the majors.I looked up there and I saw 65 or 70 and I said, `(Oh, no). Here we go again, Collins said.Concerned this time about leaving his prized rookie in too long, Collins was given something of a reprieve when Alexei Ramirez slapped an opposite-field single just inside first base with one out in the eighth inning.The ball appeared to skip right over the bag, and first base umpire Carlos Torres quickly signaled fair.Guess it was a coin flip, New York second baseman Neil Walker said. He absolutely had no-hit stuff today. You could tell that early in the game. ... Hell have another shot at it.Collins immediately went to the mound and Matz was pulled after 105 pitches. He walked off the field to a big ovation from the crowd of 26,612.It was the longest no-hit bid by a Mets pitcher since Santanas gem against St. Louis on June 1, 2012.It really wasnt on my mind. The only thing on my mind was getting outs, Matz said.Walker and Wilmer Flores homered for the defending NL champions (59-58). Struggling to stay close in the wild-card race, they took two of three in the series to win consecutive games for the first time since July 6-7 against Miami and Washington.Facing the Padres for the first time, Matz (9-8) earned just his second victory in nine decisions over his past 14 starts.The 25-year-old lefty, a hometown favorite who grew up about 50 miles from Citi Field, struck out eight and walked two. Mixing his 94-95 mph fastball with a sharp curve, he fanned All-Star slugger Wil Myers all three times.In his previous outing, Matz threw a career-high 120 pitches during a no-decision last Tuesday against Arizona.Had he got through the eighth inning, I was going to let him start the ninth -- depending on what the eighth inning looked like, Collins said. I wasnt going to visit the Johan Santana scenario again, I can telll you that.ddddddddddddFlores and Walker connected for solo shots off lefty Clayton Richard (0-2) as San Diego began its shift to a six-man rotation during a stretch of 16 games between off days.Richard allowed two runs over five innings in his first major league start since Aug. 2 last year for the Chicago Cubs.I couldnt ask for anything more, Padres manager Andy Green said. He was outstanding.The Mets added three insurance runs in the eighth, when Jose Reyes scored on a wild pitch and rookie T.J. Rivera -- another New York product playing for his hometown team -- hit a two-run double for his first career RBI.That felt really good, Rivera said. Pretty cool, man.Addison Reed and Gabriel Ynoa finished the four-hitter. Ynoa yielded Yangervis Solartes run-scoring single in the ninth.UNDER THE SUNMatz is 7-2 with a 1.46 ERA in 10 career starts during the day.ON THE LEFTA switch-hitter, Walker has connected for seven of his 21 home runs off left-handers this year. Coming into the season, he had six career homers off lefties. ... Flores is hitting .354 against southpaws, including 18 for 40 (.450) with eight homers and 16 RBI since July 1.TRAINERS ROOMPadres: CF Jon Jay (broken right forearm) is scheduled to have another CT scan Monday in California and the team hopes he will be cleared to begin swinging a bat.Mets: OF Curtis Granderson was rested. ... Collins said he thinks RHP Zack Wheeler is scheduled to see noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday. Wheeler has been slow to recover from Tommy John surgery in March 2015. He began a rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie this month but complained of elbow discomfort after throwing 17 pitches in one inning during a rain-shortened start.UP NEXTPadres: RHP Luis Perdomo (5-6, 6.80 ERA) starts Monday night at Tampa Bay as San Diego begins the final leg of its nine-game road trip. LHP Drew Smyly (4-11, 5.04) goes for the Rays.Mets: In the opener of a 10-game road trip, 43-year-old Bartolo Colon (10-6, 3.35 ERA) gets the ball Monday night at Arizona as New York looks to avenge a three-game sweep by the last-place Diamondbacks at Citi Field last week. Arizona is the only major league team Colon has never beaten, though he permitted just one run over seven innings and struck out eight last Wednesday vs. the Diamondbacks. ' ' '