Thomas with the Green Bay Packers in 2015 | |||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Born: | Aiken, South Carolina, U.S. | May 6, 1991||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||
Weight: | 227 lb (103 kg) | ||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||
High school: | Blackville-Hilda (Blackville, South Carolina) | ||||||||||||
College: | South Carolina State | ||||||||||||
Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||||||
Undrafted: | 2014 | ||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||
Player stats at PFR |
Joe Lewis Thomas Jr. (born May 6, 1991) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at South Carolina State, and was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014.
Thomas attended Blackville-Hilda High School, where he practiced football, basketball, track and soccer. In football he played as a running back, earning All-state honors in his last two years. As a senior, he rushed for 1,976 yards and 31 touchdowns, while being named Division 1A South Carolina Player of the Year.
In track, he competed in the 4 × 100 metres relay and the shot put.
Thomas accepted a football scholarship from South Carolina State University. As a redshirt freshman, he played in 11 out of 12 games, contributing mainly on special teams, while posting 17 tackles (2 for loss), one pass defensed and a fumble recovery.
As a sophomore, he started 11 games at outside linebacker, recording 100 tackles (second on the team), 5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 interceptions (led the team) and a fumble recovery. He was named the team's defensive MVP at the end of the season. In his first career start at Central Michigan University, he had 10 tackles (three solo) and his first career interception. Against Indiana University, he made 14 tackles (7 solo). Against Georgia State University, he had 14 tackles (one for loss) and one interception.
As a junior, he started the first 6 games at middle linebacker, before being lost for the season with an injury. Against North Carolina Central University, he had 39 tackles (5 for loss), one sack, one pass defensed and a forced fumble. Against Bethune-Cookman University, he made 11 tackles (3 tackles for loss) and one sack. Against the University of Arizona, he had 10 tackles (8 solo) and a forced fumble.
As a senior, he was a part of a defense that ranked No. 1 in the FCS 1-AA. He helped the school earn its 15th MEAC Championship, winning 17-3 against Norfolk State University, where he made 10 tackles (4 for a loss), and one sack. He started 13 games, registering 115 tackles (led the team), 19 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 passes defensed, one interception, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Against Alabama A&M University, he had 12 tackles (5 for loss), 3 sacks and one pass defensed. Against Bethune-Cookman University, he made 16 tackles (9 solo), one sack and a fumble recovery. He also earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-conference honors.
He finished his college career with 41 games (30 starts), 271 tackles (188 solo), 31 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 9 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles and 3 fumble recoveries.
Height | Weight | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 227 lb (103 kg) | 4.70 s | 1.58 s | 2.77 s | 4.64 s | 7.45 s | 38 in (0.97 m) | 9 ft 9 in (2.97 m) | 22 reps | |||
All values are from Pro Day [1] |
Thomas was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers after the 2014 NFL draft on May 12. [2] On August 26, 2014, he was placed on the Injured reserve list with a knee injury. [3] Thomas was released after reaching an injury settlement on August 30. On November 3, he was signed to the Packers' practice squad, [4] where he spent the rest of his rookie season.
Thomas was signed to a future contract on January 20, 2015. [5] He was waived on September 5.
Thomas was signed to the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad on September 8, 2015. [6]
On September 21, 2015, Thomas was signed to the Packers' active roster off the Cowboys' practice squad, to provide depth after Jake Ryan was injured. [7] He appeared in 14 games, making 24 tackles (16 solo), one sack, one forced fumble, 4 quarterback pressures, 2 passes defensed and 9 special teams tackles (fourth on the team). He played in the 2 playoff games and had eight tackles.
In 2016, he appeared in 16 games (7 starts) at inside linebacker, making 77 total tackles (fourth on the team), 62 solo tackles, 8 passes defensed, one interception and one fumble recovery. He recorded his first NFL interception against Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. [8] He collected 10 tackles both against the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears. On December 18, Thomas laid a hit on Chicago's Ka'Deem Carey with so much force, that the "C" decal on Carey's helmet flew off. The Packers won the game 30–27. He played in all 3 playoff games (2 starts), tying for No. 4 on the team with 13 tackles.
Thomas re-signed with the Packers on March 7, 2017. [9] He appeared in 12 games (one start), missing 4 contests with an ankle injury. He finished with 14 tackles, a half sack and one pass defensed.
On March 21, 2018, Thomas signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys. [10] He was a backup linebacker, appearing in 10 games, after suffering a foot injury in the Week 5 game against the Houston Texans and missing next four games. He posted 6 tackles (one for loss), one quarterback pressure and 5 special teams tackles (sixth on the team).
In 2019, he appeared in 15 games with 2 starts, playing mostly on special teams. He registered 36 tackles, one quarterback pressure, one forced fumble, one pass deflection and 5 special teams tackles (tied for fifth on the team). He had a season-high 6 tackles in the third game against the Miami Dolphins. He made 3 tackles, one quarterback pressure, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and 2 special teams tackles in the fourteenth game against the Chicago Bears. He made his first start as a Cowboy in place of an injured Vander Esch in the fourteenth game against the Los Angeles Rams, tallying 2 tackles before leaving with a knee injury. He started again in the next game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was declared inactive with a knee injury in the season finale against the Washington Redskins.
On March 31, 2020, Thomas re-signed with the Cowboys. [11] He was released on September 6, 2020, [12] but re-signed the next day. [13] He stepped in when starter Leighton Vander Esch suffered an injury in the first quarter of the season opener against Los Angeles Rams. He started the next 4 games at middle linebacker, after Vander Esch was placed on the injured reserve list. He had a career-high 12 tackles (one for loss) in the second game against the Atlanta Falcons. He finished with 43 tackles (3 for loss), 2 passes defensed and 5 quarterback pressures in 15 games with 4 starts.
Thomas signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans on March 22, 2021. [14] He was released on October 16, 2021. [15] He appeared in 5 games with 2 starts, making 10 defensive tackles and 2 special teams tackles.
On October 19, 2021, Thomas was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. [16] He appeared in 2 games and had one tackle.
On March 1, 2022, Thomas signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears. [17] He was released on August 31, 2022 and signed to the practice squad the next day. [18] [19] He was promoted to the active roster on September 27. [20] He appeared in 15 games with 9 starts at outside linebacker, after Roquan Smith was traded and other players were injured. He posted 61 defensive tackles (4 for loss), one sack, 2 passes defensed, one fumble recovery and 4 special teams tackles. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
Year | Team | GP | GS | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Solo | Ast | Sck | SFTY | PDef | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | FR | ||||
2015 | GB | 14 | 0 | 26 | 23 | 3 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
2016 | GB | 16 | 7 | 70 | 55 | 15 | 0.0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2017 | GB | 12 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018 | DAL | 10 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2019 | DAL | 15 | 2 | 33 | 21 | 12 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2020 | DAL | 15 | 4 | 48 | 30 | 18 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2021 | HOU | 5 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
BAL | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
2022 | CHI | 15 | 9 | 61 | 35 | 26 | 1.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Total | 104 | 25 | 279 | 186 | 93 | 2.5 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
Source: NFL.com |
Year | Team | GP | GS | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | Solo | Ast | Sck | SFTY | PDef | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | FR | ||||
2015 | GB | 2 | 0 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2016 | GB | 3 | 2 | 11 | 8 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 5 | 2 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Source: pro-football-reference.com |
Thomas' father, Joe Thomas Sr., attended his alma mater, South Carolina State University, and became the oldest player (55 years old) to play in an NCAA Division I game on November 19, 2016, when he had a carry for three yards. [21] Unfortunately the father and son were never teammates at South Carolina State since Joe Thomas Sr. was unable to play during Thomas Jr.'s tenure from 2010 to 2013 after suffering injuries in a car accident. [22]
Julius Frazier Peppers is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American, and was selected by the Carolina Panthers second overall in the 2002 NFL draft, and also played for the Chicago Bears from 2010 through 2013 and the Green Bay Packers from 2014 to 2016. After rejoining the Panthers for the 2017 season, he retired after the 2018 NFL season.
Scott Allen Shanle is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the St. Louis Rams, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. He played college football at the University of Nebraska.
William Frederick Bates is an American former professional football player who spent his entire 15-year career as a safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). A fan favorite, he was a Pro Bowl selection in 1984, played in Super Bowl XXVIII and Super Bowl XXX, and was on the Cowboys' roster for Super Bowl XXVII. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Kevin Lamont Hardy is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, and Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football for the Illinois Fighting Illini.
Akinola James Ayodele is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and Buffalo Bills. He was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2002 NFL draft. He played college football at Coffeyville Community College and Purdue.
Darrin Andrew Smith is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes.
Justin Ryan Durant is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Jaguars in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football at Hampton University.
Kelvin Vincent Smith is a former American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Miami Dolphins and Carolina Panthers. He was selected by the Dolphins in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL draft. He played college football at Syracuse.
Erik Lashawn Walden is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Middle Tennessee State and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He was also a member of the Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Seattle Seahawks. With the Packers, he won Super Bowl XLV in 2010.
Bradley Edward Jones is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL draft, and played college football at Colorado. With the Packers, he was part of their Super Bowl XLV team that beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Malcolm Xavier Smith is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans. He was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL draft. Smith was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XLVIII after the Seahawks defeated the Denver Broncos.
Nicholas Joel Perry is an American former football linebacker who played seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Green Bay Packers. He played college football at USC. Perry was drafted by the Packers in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Barry Michael Church is a former American football safety. He played college football at the University of Toledo and signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2010. Church also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Patrick Ryan Kerrigan is an American football coach and former player who is the assistant linebackers and pass rush specialist coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior before being selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Jordan Hicks is an American football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He has also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, with whom he won a Super Bowl ring in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Minnesota Vikings. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns.
Danny Eugene Trevathan is a former American football linebacker. He was selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football at Kentucky, where in 2010, he was named an All-American by College Football News and was a first-team all-SEC selection.
Kyle Wilber is a former American football linebacker and coach who is the special teams quality control coach for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. He played college football at Wake Forest.
Jaylon Smith is an American football linebacker who is a free agent. He played college football at Notre Dame and was drafted 34th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft.
B.J. Goodson is a former American football linebacker. He played college football at Clemson University and was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
De'Vondre Campbell is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Minnesota, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Campbell has also played for the Arizona Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers.