Demaryius Thomas - Pro Football Rumors

Patriots Host Demaryius Thomas, T.J. Yeldon

April 10th, 2019 at 1:37pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Patriots hosted wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and running back T.J. Yeldon on Wednesday, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

New England would make sense as a potential landing spot for Thomas on a number of levels. The 31-year-old pass-catcher was originally drafted by then-Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels, who is now the Patriots’ offensive coordinator. The Pats reportedly expressed interest in acquiring Thomas from Denver before he was dealt to Houston, and New England needs offensive help given the loss of Rob Gronkowski and Cordarrelle Patterson, the potential loss of free agent Chris Hogan, and the uncertain status of Josh Gordon.

While Thomas would give the Patriots another option on their wide receiver depth chart, he’s certainly not the threat he once was. While splitting time between Denver and Houston in 2018, Thomas posted only 59 receptions for 677 yards, his lowest totals since 2011 (before he was a full-time starter).

Thomas tore his Achilles in December, and it’s not clear when he’ll be able to return to the field. Additionally, he was taken into police custody after being involved in a car accident in February. There’s been no new information on Thomas’ legal status recently, but each of these factors will likely make him an affordable potential signing for the Patriots.

Like Thomas, Yeldon hasn’t drawn any other known free agent interest since the market opened in mid-March. After starting for the Jaguars during his first two years in the NFL, Yeldon became a backup after Jacksonville drafted Leonard Fournette in 2017. Yeldon has averaged only four yards per carry since entering the league, but he’s been a consistent weapon in the passing game, averaging about 43 receptions per season. Football Outsiders ranked him among its top-20 most efficient pass-catching running backs in 2018.

Free Agent Demaryius Thomas In Custody

February 28th, 2019 at 10:21am CST by Zachary Links

Free agent wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is in custody for charges of vehicular assault in Colorado, according to Denver 7. The Texans free agent (and former Bronco) lost control of his vehicle on Feb. 16 and a female passenger in the car suffered serious injuries, police say. Fortunately, those injuries were not life-threatening, but vehicular assault is a felony-level charge in Colorado.

At the time of the crash, investigators did not believe that alcohol or drugs were a factor in the accident. Thomas was said to have suffered minor injuries in the accident, but was fine otherwise.

In his ninth NFL season, Thomas reeled in just 36 catches for 402 yards and three touchdowns for the Broncos. Before the deadline, he was shipped to the Texans, where he had 23 receptions for 275 yards and two scores. In February, the four-time Pro Bowler was cut by Houston, making him a free agent.

Demaryius Thomas Involved In Car Crash

February 16th, 2019 at 7:00pm CST by Micah Powell

Free agent veteran receiver Demaryius Thomas was involved in a rollover crash in Denver early Saturday morning, ABC 7’s Oscar Contreras writes. He reportedly suffered minor injuries.

Police responded to the single-vehicle accident shortly after midnight. Thomas and another man suffered minor injuries, but a woman inside the car sustained potentially serious injuries though they were not thought to be life threatening.

Police are investigating the crash, but investigators have said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be involved in the accident.

That is a scary situation for the former Broncos wideout, but it’s great news he escaped the incident without any major injuries.

In his ninth season in the league, Thomas started the first eight games of the season for the Broncos, making 36 grabs for 402 yards and three touchdowns. He was acquired by the Texans at midseason and finished the campaign in Houston, logging 23 receptions for 275 yards and two touchdowns. Earlier this week, the four-time Pro Bowl selection was released from the team.

South Notes: Flacco, Texans, Bucs, Panthers

February 14th, 2019 at 8:10pm CST by Sam Robinson

In agreeing to trade for Joe Flacco, the Broncos made an early move to attempt to upgrade at quarterback. As bad as things have gone at quarterback for the Broncos over the past three years, the Jaguars have experienced more trouble. The Jags were mentioned as a Flacco suitor earlier this offseason, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets the team continued to have interest until the Broncos pulled the trigger. However, Denver’s offer of a fourth-round pick was the best proposal Baltimore received, La Canfora adds. This was the Broncos’ fourth-round pick (No. 106), not the selection they acquired from the Texans in exchange for Demaryius Thomas (No. 118).

Shifting to non-Flacco matters, here is the latest from the South divisions:

Thomas’ Texans tenure did not last long, with the team predictably balking on the former Pro Bowl wide receiver’s lofty 2019 salary. But with the Texans making the move to release the 31-year-old wideout while he is still recovering from a severe Achilles injury, Thomas is in line to receive injury protection, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets. Article 45 of the CBA stipulates Thomas would stand to receive $1.2MM from the Texans, reducing the franchise’s cap savings on this move from $14MM to $12.8MM. Nevertheless, Thomas’ salary coming off the Texans’ books increases their cap space to nearly $76MM.
Although Pro Football Focus had not viewed Donovan Smith as an upper-echelon tackle, the Buccaneers‘ front office has held him in higher regard. Even as the team shifts to Bruce Arians calling the shots on the sideline, keeping Smith off the market may still be on the table. Indications point to the Bucs placing the franchise tag on Smith if no deal can be reached before then, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. The 2019 tag for offensive linemen is expected to come in at just more than $14MM. Were Smith to reach the market, he could command a lucrative deal. Although, with only three tackles making $14MM per year, it would be a stretch for the Bucs’ four-year left tackle starter to exceed that total — the annual offensive line sellers’ market notwithstanding.
Ben Jacobs‘ early-offseason release will not lead to the longtime special-teamer catching on elsewhere. The former Panthers linebacker will instead take a staff position with Carolina, the franchise announced. Jacobs is the Panthers’ new assistant special teams coach. Jacobs, 30, spent six years with the Panthers, serving as a core member of Carolina’s ST units for most of that time. He will work under fellow former Panthers linebacker Chase Blackburn.
The Panthers will be the latest team to bring in a game management coach. Sam Mills III, son of the former Panthers and Saints linebacker, will begin working in this role, the team announced. A 15th-year Panthers staffer, Mills will retain his defensive line coach title while helping Ron Rivera on game days with replay challenges, clock management and other situational elements.

Texans Release Demaryius Thomas

February 12th, 2019 at 4:29pm CST by Ben Levine

Demaryius Thomas‘s tenure with the Texans has come to an end, as the team announced it has released the veteran wideout. James Palmer of the NFL Network first reported (via Twitter) that the release was forthcoming, and ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates tweets that Thomas was released with a failed physical designation.

After spending eight-plus seasons with the Broncos, the 31-year-old was traded to the Texans (along with a seventh-rounder) for a fourth-rounder and seventh-rounder back in October. Thomas proceeded to play in seven games for Houston, hauling in 23 receptions for 275 yards and two touchdowns. However, he tore his Achilles in late December, ending his season.

As Palmer notes, the release isn’t an indication that the Texans think Thomas is done. The wideout tore his Achilles during the 2011 offseason, but he was fully healthy after only six months. It will naturally take the veteran a bit more time to recover this time around, but it doesn’t sound like this is the end of the road for the receiver (though Yates observes that Thomas does have a long recovery ahead of him).

Thomas was due $14MM next season, but thanks to an “out” in his contract, the Texans won’t be left with any dead cap. The team could theoretically look to re-sign Thomas at a smaller cap number, although the team is already pretty deep at the position. As of right now, the Texans will roll into next season with DeAndre Hopkins, Keke Coutee, and Will Fuller (who’s recovering from an ACL injury) atop their depth chart.

Demaryius Thomas Wants To Continue Playing

January 10th, 2019 at 11:12am CST by Zachary Links

Demaryius Thomas has undoubtedly declined in recent years, but the veteran wide receiver says he is not interested in retirement at this time. Instead, Thomas says he would like to return to the Texans, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes.

“My main priority right now is getting back healthy. I can still play, man. I’m not thinking about retirement. I just don’t know where it will be,” Thomas said. “I told them I would love to finish my career here, but we’ll see…This is what we have to deal with as players and guys in the locker room. I hope my appearance and being around the guys and talking to a couple of guys helped. I don’t want to say I helped that much play-wise, but leadership-wise, I think I helped.”

Thomas’ assessment of his on-field performance is pretty accurate. In seven games with Houston, he caught 23 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns. He’s also dealing with a surgically repaired torn Achilles that could complicate matters.

Texans head coach Bill O’Brien was also asked about Thomas’ future this week, but was largely non-committal.

“I had a long talk with Demaryius the other day,” O’Brien said. “He’s a great guy. We’ll see how the rehab goes. That’s a tough injury. He knows that. He’s 30 years old. That’s not easy to come back from, but he’s going to work hard. He wants to play again. He made that statement to me, and we’ll see how it goes moving forward.”

Texans To Place Thomas, Webster On IR

December 24th, 2018 at 4:25pm CST by Sam Robinson

Demaryius Thomas‘ season is over. The Texans will place their No. 2 wide receiver on IR after he suffered an Achilles injury Sunday.

Interestingly, Kayvon Webster will head back to IR as well. The Texans just brought Webster off IR on Saturday but lost the cornerback during the game to a thigh injury. Houston also placed linebacker Brian Peters on IR and promoted wide receiver Steven Mitchell to the active roster from its practice squad.

Teammates from 2013-16 in Denver, Thomas and Webster’s Houston futures are uncertain. The Texans may well have been unlikely to keep Thomas on his lofty contract — which includes a non-guaranteed $14MM base salary in 2019 — before his injury, which is believed to be a torn Achilles. Now that he will have to undergo a significant rehab endeavor, the soon-to-be 31-year-old wideout likely will not be part of the 2019 Texans.

Thomas’ ninth NFL season will end with 59 receptions for 677 yards, the bulk of those coming with the Broncos, and five touchdowns. The 2010 first-round pick made four Pro Bowls between 2012-16 and amassed at least 900 receiving yards from 2012-17. He has not missed a game since early in the 2011 slate, having started 111 consecutive games since the start of the ’12 season.

The Texans added Webster late in the offseason. He ended up playing in just two games, suffering multiple injuries that will result in two separate IR stays this season. The sixth-year cornerback, who suffered a season-ending injury in 2017 as well, will be a free agent at season’s end.

Demaryius Thomas Believed To Have Torn Achilles

December 23rd, 2018 at 2:42pm CST by Ben Levine

The Texans may be down another receiver. Wideout Demaryius Thomas was carted off the field during today’s game against the Eagles, and he’s been ruled out with an Achilles injury. While he’s set to undergo tests, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets that the wideout is believed to have torn his Achilles.

NFL Network’s James Palmer tweets that Thomas pushed off the line and immediately fell to the ground, with the reporter noting that the veteran appeared to be “in unreal pain.” Thomas was also seen punching the ground before he was ultimately carted off the field.

The 30-year-old wideout was acquired by the Texans from the Broncos in late October. Thomas proceeded to start each of his six games with Houston, hauling in 20 receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns. His overall numbers were down this season, as he was on track to finish with fewer than 900 receiving yards for the first time since 2011. While the numbers haven’t been all that encouraging, Pro Football Focus was still bullish on his performance; the site ranked Thomas 45th among 128 eligible wideouts.

The team was already shorthanded on offense heading into today’s game, as both running back Lamar Miller and wideout Keke Coutee had been ruled out yesterday. With Will Fuller on the injured reserve, the Texans are now left with only three healthy wideouts in DeAndre Hopkins, DeAndre Carter, and Vyncint Smith.

Broncos Notes: Joseph, Thomas, Elway

November 7th, 2018 at 7:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

His new team dealing perhaps the final blow to his previous employer’s 2018 playoff hopes via 19-17 win in Week 9, Texans wide receiver Demaryius Thomas expressed issues he had with the Broncos’ coaching staff. Thomas said during an interview with former Broncos Ray Crockett and Rod Smith on Orange and Blue 760 (via The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala, on Twitter) Vance Joseph informed him he would be staying in Denver after the trade deadline. Though, to be fair to the second-year head coach, he may not have known the status of John Elway‘s progress in acquiring a mid-round pick for the veteran wideout. Thomas said his agent told him Elway wanted a fifth-round pick in a trade, helping perhaps to explain the GM’s decision to accept a Texans fourth-round pick.

Additionally, Thomas told Crockett and Smith the coaching staff made him feel as though he was holding back rookies Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton and that first-year receivers coach Zach Azzani asked only Thomas to come out of a Jets loss to give Hamilton more snaps (Twitter links via Jhabvala). Joseph said (via Mike Klis of 9News) he didn’t recall a trade-related conversation with Thomas unfolding the way the since-jettisoned wideout said it did.

Here’s more from Denver:

As for Joseph’s job security, Elway offered a lukewarm endorsement. “At this point in time, we’re going to stay the course,” Elway said during an Orange and Blue 760 interview (via Arnie Stapleton of the Associated Press). “I think there’s enough good things that are going on as far as us and the way that we’re playing. I’m much more encouraged this year than I was last year.” The Broncos have lost four one-score games — all to teams with at least six wins — but are 3-6 and may be on the verge of their first back-to-back losing seasons since the mid-1970s. It’s hard to imagine Joseph (8-17 as a head coach) receiving a third year.
A possible route Elway might go in 2019, look no further than the success the Chiefs are having. Buzz is developing in NFL circles (via SI.com’s Albert Breer) that Elway has taken a “special interest” in the college-type concepts that have helped not just the Chiefs but other teams around the league. Should Elway hire another coach in January, it will be his fourth since taking a front office job with his former team. He interviewed Joseph, Kyle Shanahan and Chiefs ST coordinator Dave Toub for the job Joseph received.
Wide receiver Jordan Taylor won’t play for the Broncos this season, Jhabvala tweets. He will stay on the PUP list the rest of the way. Taylor’s 21-day practice window expired on Monday.
Matt Paradis underwent surgery to repair a broken right fibula, Klis notes. The veteran center will be a free agent in March, but Klis adds the Broncos are interested in bringing him back. The sides discussed an extension before the season but did not come to terms. Prior to the injury Sunday, Paradis had started every game for the Broncos since the start of their 2015 Super Bowl season.

Deadline Notes: DT, Fowler, Collins, Bell

October 30th, 2018 at 9:15pm CST by Ben Levine

There were five trades made on deadline day, but none of them involved Giants safety Landon Collins. Appearing on ESPN’s The Michael Kay Show, the 24-year-old said New York was “asking a little bit too much,” leading to suitors shying away from a deal.

Ralph Vacchiano of SNY writes that the Giants were ultimately seeking a 2019 second-rounder and a late-round pick in 2020, but no team offered more than a third. The Chiefs and Buccaneers were among the teams to have made bids for the defensive back.

Considering all of the rumors surrounding the Giants, Collins admitted that he was a bit on edge up until the deadline.

“Yeah I was very anxious honestly,” Collins said (via Vacchiano). “I heard multiple teams offered a lot. It’s crazy. My agent called me and I looked at my phone and thought ‘Oh God.’”

Below are some more deadline notes from around the NFL…

Before the Broncos traded wideout Demaryius Thomas to the Texans, both the Patriots and Eagles made competitive offers for the veteran, reports Mike Klis 9News in Denver (via Twitter). The Titans also made a late bid for the receiver. Denver ultimately sent Thomas and a seventh-round pick to Houston for a fourth-round pick and a seventh-round pick. New England had previously been connected to the 30-year-old. Philly ended up making a trade with the Lions for wideout Golden Tate, another wideout the Patriots were eyeing.
The 2019 third-round pick sent to the Jaguars in the Dante Fowler trade is conditional, tweets Howard Balzer. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets that the conditional draft pick will be based on how many compensatory picks the Rams receive. If Los Angeles does receive a compensatory pick, that will be sent to Jacksonville. If the Rams receive more than one compensatory pick, the Jaguars will receive the higher selection. If the Rams don’t get any compensatory picks, then they’ll simply send their own pick to complete the trade. Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets that Los Angeles is expecting compensatory picks for the offseason losses of Trumaine Johnson and Sammy Watkins. Jacksonville also received a 2020 fifth-rounder in the Fowler deal.
As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler points out (via Twitter), the Steelers unwillingness to trade Le’Veon Bell means the running back will now have two weeks to report to the team. If the Pro Bowler fails to show up by November 13th, he won’t be allowed to play this season. Fowler notes that Bell is still intending on playing this season, but he still hasn’t informed the Steelers of his plans.
The Ravens traditionally don’t trade draft picks for players, especially during the season. As Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic writes, prior to today, the team had only made one significant pre-deadline deal (for left tackle Eugene Monroe in 2013). However, today’s trade for Ty Montgomery followed general manager Ozzie Newsome‘s “right player, right price” attitude. Baltimore ended up sending the Packers a seventh-rounder for a versatile offensive weapon who had more than 800 all-purpose yards only two seasons ago. While the 25-year-old may not be as flashy of a name as LeSean McCoy or Jordan Howard, Zrebiec believes the Ravens gave up minor draft capital for a player who could end up helping them down the stretch.