The Broncos lined up with 10 players in the formation on their first play against the Detroit Lions to honor Demaryius Thomas, who was found dead last week at age 33.
The 10 players stood motionless and waited for the play clock to stop on a first-and-10 from the Denver 25-yard line. The Lions declined the delay-of-game penalty that they were assessed.
The crowd cheered loudly, some chanting "D-T'' before the play clock ran out.
Thomas was found dead in his home in Roswell, Georgia, on Thursday. Police said Thursday night that Thomas' death could have been caused by a medical issue.
In June, Thomas announced his retirement from the NFL.
Broncos coach Vic Fangio said after Friday's practice that the team would be ready to pay tribute to him on Sunday.
There was a moment of silence and a video tribute before the Broncos' game against the Raiders.
Thomas was the first of two first-round picks for the Broncos in the 2010 NFL draft, and spent nine seasons with the team, finishing his career as the team's second-leading receiver behind only Rod Smith. He is third in franchise history in catches behind Smith and Shannon Sharpe.
He played in 10 seasons and had 724 catches for 9,763 yards and 63 touchdown.
Thomas had at least 90 catches and 1,300 yards in four consecutive seasons, joining Marvin Harrison and Jerry Rice as the only players to do that in four consecutive seasons.
Thomas had a career-best 14 touchdown catches in the Broncos' record-setting offensive season. He had a career-best 1,619 yards receiving in the following season.
