Denver • Denver Broncos tight end Julius Thomas is expected to start in Thursday's season opener against the Baltimore Ravens despite revelations of his arrest last week.
Thomas had been stopped for speeding on Aug. 28 and was then arrested for failing to appear in court for a traffic citation earlier this year, Arapahoe County sheriff's Capt. Glenn Thompson said. A deputy issued a citation to Thomas for allegedly going 57 mph in a 40 mph zone and he was released on $500 bond the same day of his arrest, which was first reported by The Denver Post.
Thomas is scheduled in court on Sept. 12.
Records show that Thomas missed a March 21 court hearing for a citation issued Jan. 25 for failing to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle.
"We were notified of the issue involving Julius Thomas when it occurred on Aug. 28. It was addressed internally and is being resolved," the Broncos said in a statement.
The arrest of Thomas, a third-year player who earned his starting position during the preseason, is the latest embarrassment for a franchise that has made plenty of off-the-field news this summer.
Executive Vice President John Elway's top two assistants, Matt Russell and Tom Heckert, were suspended following separate arrests for drunken driving. Then, All-Pro linebacker Von Miller was suspended six games for violating the league's drug-abuse policy.