Detroit Lions wide receiver Mike Thomas might be looking through the classified ads sooner rather than later.
Mike Thomas could play himself off Lions roster
The veteran wide receiver might not be in Motown too much longer.
USA TODAY Sports
The veteran has been put on the third team in practice and looks terrible, according to mlive.com.
Jumping to an early conclusion, but wide receiver Mike Thomas might not be long for this roster. He's been buried on the depth chart, mostly working with the third unit. Friday, during one-on-one drills with the defensive backs, he was completely shut down by (Domonique) Johnson. It was so bad, Thomas stopped running the route and quarterback Matthew Stafford didn't even throw the ball. I'm not sure I've ever seen that before outside of the occasions when a receiver falls down.
Thomas, 26, has watched a once promising career begin to slip away in the past few seasons. He was once considered a legitimate player for the Jacksonville Jaguars after posting a rookie season of 48 catches in 2009 followed by his best season in 2010 with 66 receptions and 820 yards.
In 2011, Thomas was given a three-year, $18 million contract extension by then-Jaguars general manager Gene Smith. From then on, Thomas’ career has become an abject disaster. Posting only 415 yards that season, Thomas was a complete bust in 2012 right from the start, with many Jacksonville fans wondering if he would be cut in training camp.
After seven forgettable games in which he amassed 80 yards for the Jaguars last year, Thomas was dealt to Detroit for a fifth-round pick. However, Thomas was no better for the Lions, catching five passes for 28 yards over the final nine games of last year.
Considering the Lions already have Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Ryan Broyles and Chaz Schilens, Thomas is likely fighting for the fifth WR spot, usually reserved for a special teams ace.
Factoring in his salary against his production, it would be tough for Detroit to keep him without an improved showing at camp.
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