Colts Guard Donald Thomas Still Working His Way Back

It may not seem like it on the field, but the Indianapolis Colts have been desperately trying to improve Andrew Luck‘s protection for the past two seasons. In 2013, they signed two prominent free agent linemen but it has been a mixed bag of mostly unfortunate circumstances from the two players.

Right tackle Gosder Cherilus was a solid, if over paid, addition in 2013 but struggled with injuries this past season and was sent to IR at the end of the year before the playoffs. But at least he’s regularly seen the field regularly. The same can’t be said of guard Donald Thomas.

Thomas has only played 72 snaps for the Colts, all in 2013. That amounted to just the season opener against Oakland and a couple series versus Miami the following week. He torn not only his quad but also his bicep in that game.

Thomas was taking snaps with the first team offense in training camp last season, and appeared to be healthy. But before the first preseason game, he went down on a seemingly innocuous play. A loud cry of pain was heard across the Anderson campus and he tried to walk it off. We soon learned he had re-torn that quad muscle and was once again headed to IR.

The oft-injured guard recently talked to Stephen Holder of the IndyStar about his long road to recovery. Thomas is well aware that if he doesn’t get healthy, the Colts will cut him for someone who can. It certainly doesn’t help that he’s had two years away from the game either.

"“I’m just like everybody else,” Thomas said. “When I’d be watching other sports, I would say the same thing, ‘That dude’s always hurt. They need to get rid of him. They’re paying him all that money.’ Now, in retrospect, people can say the same thing about me. When you put yourself in those shoes, you understand. It’s not easy. No one wants this.”GM Ryan Grigson has even discussed the difficult decision that might be coming with Thomas’ injury history. He’s the kind of guy the team wants to keep around, but the reality is that the Colts might have to move on.“It’s not for lack of effort or attitude,” General Manager Ryan Grigson said recently. “He’s a great pro. … We just have to go off how he’s progressing and things like that. He’s not ready yet. Those decisions and where he’s at will be defined by his actual progress physically. This is a hard game. He’s got to be confident that he can play on that thing again and make sure that he’ll be able to stay healthy.”More from Horseshoe HeroesColts explored hiring former quarterback and current ESPN analyst Dan OrlovskyWhen is the NFL Combine 2023? NFL Combine schedule, events, how to streamLatest NFL mock draft has Colts trading up to No. 1 for star QBEagles offensive free agents that could follow Shane Steichen to ColtsHere’s why Colts linebacker Shaq Leonard is going to love Shane SteichenThomas was with the Patriots in 2012, but not as a full time starter. He started seven games, and had a significant number of snaps in 11 games that year. He was very effective when he saw the field and it’s why the Colts gave him four-year $14 million deal. But cutting him now would save the team $3.75 million in cap space this year and again in 2016, space the team will surely need in the near future.Thomas is working hard to rehab his leg in an effort to prevent another tear.“We haven’t done any football stuff yet,” Thomas said of his rehab work. “A lot of pool work, a lot of biking. The main thing this time is to not push it. You might say, ‘I feel good.’ But if you’re supposed to hold something off for a couple more weeks, and in a couple weeks you’re scheduled to do this or that, just wait those two more weeks until you’re really ready.”“It’s all been a whirlwind,” he said. “It’s been difficult, but it’s something that’s made me stronger as a person. If I can come back from this, you can throw whatever else you want at me.“I’ll deal with it.”The Colts have taken a number of steps to improve the offensive line. They signed former Eagles guard Todd Herremans to presumably start on the line, provided he’s healthy at the start of the season. Herremans is insurance in case Thomas never makes a full recovery.At this point, getting anything from Thomas would be a bonus for the Colts. “It’s not for lack of effort or attitude,” General Manager Ryan Grigson said recently. “He’s a great pro. … We just have to go off how he’s progressing and things like that. He’s not ready yet. Those decisions and where he’s at will be defined by his actual progress physically. This is a hard game. He’s got to be confident that he can play on that thing again and make sure that he’ll be able to stay healthy.”“We haven’t done any football stuff yet,” Thomas said of his rehab work. “A lot of pool work, a lot of biking. The main thing this time is to not push it. You might say, ‘I feel good.’ But if you’re supposed to hold something off for a couple more weeks, and in a couple weeks you’re scheduled to do this or that, just wait those two more weeks until you’re really ready.”“It’s all been a whirlwind,” he said. “It’s been difficult, but it’s something that’s made me stronger as a person. If I can come back from this, you can throw whatever else you want at me.“I’ll deal with it.”"