DeAnthony Thomas

Baltimore Ravens
Wide Receiver #13
Baltimore Ravens
Wide Receiver #13

DeAnthony Thomas News

Hopes to return to NFL

Thomas hopes to return to the NFL will work out at Oregon's Pro Day on April 1, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Thomas opted out of the 2020 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic and is currently under contract with the BC Lions of the CFL. After topping 100 receiving yards in three of his first four seasons in the NFL, Thomas had a more limited role in recent years and hauled in four of seven targets for 35 yards and a touchdown while rushing three times for 11 yards across the last three seasons.

Mar 27, 2022 9:25 PM EST


Waived by Ravens

The Ravens have waived Thomas, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Thomas, who opted out of the 2020 season, will now be free to catch on elsewhere in advance of the 2021 campaign. In the last couple of years in which he played, the 28-year-old receiver made most of his impact as a returner.

Jan 18, 2021 2:45 PM EST



Opting out of 2020 season

The Ravens placed Thomas on the reserve list Monday after he voluntarily opted out of the 2020 season.

Analysis: According to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun, Thomas will receive a $150,000 salary advance while his contract tolls over to 2021, so he'll remain under club control despite opting out of the upcoming season. The 27-year-old had been slated to compete for a depth role in the Ravens' receiving corps, but he likely would have made his biggest impact on special teams as a kick and punt returner. Now that Thomas is stepping away for at least the 2020 season, rookie sixth-round pick James Proche profiles as the Ravens' top candidate for return duties.

Jul 27, 2020 1:23 PM EST


Not assured of return job

Thomas will face competition from rookie sixth-round pick James Proche in the return game, SI.com's Todd Karpovich reports.

Analysis: Thomas was released by the Chiefs last October and caught on with the Ravens a few weeks later. He averaged 16.6 yards on 10 kick returns and 7.2 yards on 13 punt returns in eight games with Baltimore, playing 123 snaps on special teams but only three on offense. The Ravens likely hope Proche can seize the return job this season.

Jul 6, 2020 8:41 AM EST


Returning to Ravens

Thomas signed a one-year contract with the Ravens on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Thomas was hardly effective in his first stint with the Ravens, combing for just 259 return yards in eight games, but a lack of obvious difference makers from a special teams perspective on the open market likely helped spur on the reunion. It's entirely possible Thomas could still be on the roster bubble this preseason if other skillful returners outperform the 27-year-old.

Mar 14, 2020 7:14 AM EST



Minimal impact with new club

Thomas, who signed with Baltimore on Nov. 5, played almost exclusively on special teams with his new club. He had no targets on three offensive snaps but racked up 166 kick return yards and 93 punt return yards over eight games.

Analysis: Thomas was signed to bring a spark to the Ravens anemic return game but failed to provide one for the most part. His longest kick return went just 31 yards and his longest punt return went just 20. The 27-year-old is due to hit free agency in March, and his lack of production as a returner makes him unlikely to remain in Baltimore come kickoff for the 2020 season.

Jan 23, 2020 12:12 PM EST


Snags one pass

Thomas hauled in his only target for six yards in Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Analysis: Thomas contributed primarily on special teams, playing only four snaps on offense. Given the breakout efforts from Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman in Week 3, it's unlikely Thomas will carve out anything more than a minor role on offense even without Tyreek Hill (shoulder) avaialble).

Sep 17, 2019 8:03 AM EST


Could see snaps at wideout

Thomas could split some snaps with Mecole Hardman that are usually handled by Tyreek Hill (collarbone), Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Analysis: Thomas was suspended for the season opener for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, but he rejoined the wide receivers room Wednesday. The sixth-year weapon mainly serves on special teams, hauling in no more than 14 passes in any of the last three seasons, so even some increased reps are unlikely to improve his fantasy stock much.

Sep 12, 2019 9:56 AM EST


Back from suspension

Thomas was reinstated from his one-game suspension Mondoay, per the NFL's official transaction log.

Analysis: Thomas re-signed with the Chiefs in mid-August and was handed the suspension last week for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. The 26-year-old doesn't figure to have a major offensive role, but he could be a solid piece on special teams.

Sep 9, 2019 3:39 PM EST


Suspended for opener

Thomas will start the regular season with a one-game suspension for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy, Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

Analysis: Thomas re-signed with the Chiefs on Aug. 20 after fellow special-teams contributor Marcus Kemp suffered a severe knee injury. Thomas doesn't figure to get much playing time on offense, but he could be an important piece on special teams, where he's capable of both covering and returning kicks.

Sep 1, 2019 11:57 AM EST


Re-signs with Chiefs

Thomas agreed to a deal with the Chiefs on Tuesday.

Analysis: Thomas spent his first five years with the Chiefs. He only played five games in 2018 before a knee injury sent him to injured reserve. He was then arrested on suspicion of marijuana possession in January ahead of restricted free agency and has been looking for a landing spot since. Kansas City made the most sense for a second chance, but should he ultimately make the 53-man roster a suspension could certainly follow.

Aug 20, 2019 3:49 PM EST


Arrested in Missouri

Thomas (lower leg) was arrested in Missouri on suspicion of marijuana possession, Pete Sweeney of 610 Sports Kansas City reports.

Analysis: This isn't a good look for a player who spent most of the season on injured reserve and will now become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Jan 27, 2019 7:25 PM EST


Placed on IR

The Chiefs placed Thomas (lower leg) on injured reserve Saturday.

Analysis: Thomas suffered a leg fracture at Thursday's practice, so this move is not surprising. It was considered a "freak accident," and will now spend the remainder of the season on the sidelines. His absence will mainly be felt in special teams, as he was serving as the primary kick returner. Tremon Smith is the most likely candidate to replace him there.

Oct 13, 2018 10:58 AM EST


Suffers fractured leg

Thomas suffered a leg fracture after getting stepped on during Thursday's practice, but he will not need surgery, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Analysis: There was no malicious intent involved with Thomas' injury, as it is being described as a "freak accident." Nevertheless, it looks like Thomas will be sidelined indefinitely after fracturing his leg for a second time. Thomas' absence will mainly be felt on special teams, where he was serving as the primary kick returner.

Oct 12, 2018 12:21 PM EST


Nursing leg injury

Thomas was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a lower leg injury, BJ Kissel of Chiefs.com reports.

Analysis: Thomas may have picked up the lower leg ailment during Wednesday's practice, as he was a new addition to the injury report Thursday. Limited participation indicates the issue isn't too severe, so he could be fine for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots in what is expected to be a high-scoring affair.

Oct 11, 2018 2:57 PM EST


Doesn't receive touch in Week 2

Thomas didn't receive a tote or catch a pass in Week 2 against the Steelers, recording just six offensive snaps.

Analysis: While Thomas scored a touchdown in Week 1, it came on one of only seven offensive snaps on the day. He could see some more playing time down the road if injuries pile up, but there's nothing right now pointing to him seeing significant action on a weekly basis.

Sep 18, 2018 6:12 PM EST


Scores on shovel pass

Thomas caught one pass on two targets Sunday against the Chargers, a shovel pass that resulted in a touchdown from one yard out.

Analysis: Thomas only played seven snaps total on offense in the opener and doesn't figure to play a ton this season overall, but he remains a valuable depth option and special teams player for the Chiefs.

Sep 11, 2018 11:33 AM EST


Logs 12 total snaps Saturday

Thomas (lower leg) caught one pass for five yards and returned one kick 36 yards in Saturday's 27-20 preseason loss to the Bears.

Analysis: Thomas had limited action in his preseason debut after missing the first two with a lower leg injury, logging just four offensive snaps and eight on special teams. The fifth-year pro will be low on the Chiefs' wideout depth chart to start the season.

Aug 26, 2018 9:49 AM EST


Absent from preseason opener

Thomas (lower leg) did not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Falcons.

Analysis: Thomas continues to work his way back from a lower-leg injury that dates back to last season. He was supposedly nearing contact work as training camp begin, but there's been no indication since that time that he has done so. When healthy, Thomas should be a candidate to serve as a special teams player and a reserve receiver again in 2018, though the addition of Sammy Watkins this offseason pushes him further down the depth chart.

Aug 11, 2018 4:38 PM EST


News powered by