One of the storylines surrounding the Denver Broncos this off-season is how effective Emmanuel Sanders will be this upcoming season and when would he be ready to return.

Sanders is still recovering from an Achilles injury that he suffered last season during a week 14 practice. Sanders said it “feels realistic” that he will be ready for the Broncos season opener against the Oakland Raiders, but he isn't willing to put a concrete timetable on when he will return.

“It feels realistic, but who knows until I get out there and see how I feel,” Sanders said Monday at his youth football camp via the Broncos team website. “I’ve been working out with other NFL guys, but I haven’t been able to compare going up against a Chris Harris or going up against the defense. We’ll see how I feel, but in my head I’ve got all the confidence in the world that I’m going to go out and perform and have a Pro Bowl year. That’s what I want, and I’m working my butt off to try to attain that and achieve that.”

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Before going down with his Achilles injury last year, Sanders caught 71 passes for 868 yards and four touchdowns. With Joe Flacco under center, the expectations are high again for this team, and a lot is going to come down to if the offense can take a step forward.

Sanders is 32 years old, and there are doubts how well he can return, but if he can get back to his old form, this could be a big season for the Broncos.