3:59pm: Thomas has actually been placed on the reserve/non-football illness list, rather than IR, tweets Adam Caplan of ESPN.com. The effect is the same – Thomas is no longer on the Chiefs’ roster – but the designation suggested he’s dealing with more than just a football injury.
3:51pm: Having already missed five games due to a concussion, Chiefs return specialist De’Anthony Thomas won’t be back on the field for the team this season. Per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter), Kansas City placed Thomas on the injured reserve list, ending his year.
Thomas, a fourth-round pick in 2014, was the club’s primary punt returner in the first half of the season, and handled the occasional kickoff as well. The Oregon product, who turns 23 next week, also saw some action on offense, with 174 total yards and two touchdowns on 17 receptions and nine carries. Wide receiver Frankie Hammond has taken over the punt-return duties in Thomas’ absence.
When the Chiefs officially announce the move, it figures to come with a corresponding addition to fill the 53-man roster.