ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- With Montee Ball having missed three games with a groin injury he suffered earlier this month, any injury to Ronnie Hillman would be an attention-grabber for the Denver Broncos.

And Hillman was limited in Wednesday's practice with a shoulder injury he suffered during the workout. However, later Wednesday afternoon, Hillman said he expected to practice Thursday and remained on track to again be the team's lead option at running back Sunday against the New England Patriots in Gillette Stadium.

"I just landed on it funny, it'll be all right," Hillman said following Wednesday's practice.

Asked if he had any concern he wouldn't be able to play in the showdown with the Patriots, Hillman said:

"No, I'm not, I'll be at practice (Thursday). So, I mean, I plan on being at practice (Thursday). I don't know what they're talking about. But I'll be fine. It's nothing that I can't deal with."

Hillman has helped give the Broncos run game a boost over the last three games. The third-year running back has two 100-yard games in those last three outings and has averaged 4.9 yards per carry in the three starts.

Rookie Juwan Thompson, who briefly left the game against the Arizona Cardinals with a knee injury before he returned in the second half, has been the team's No. 2 back since Ball's injury.

Thompson has missed some practice time since the injury, but has played in the last three games and leads the team in rushing touchdowns with three.

"(The Patriots) are clicking," Hillman said. "It's going to be interesting to see what happens when we get out there … but we know we have to be on our game, no mistakes."