Ex-Colts OG Donald Thomas Had Tryout with Indy on Saturday
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, former Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Donald Thomas had a tryout with the team on Saturday:
G Donald Thomas, who signed with Colts in 2013 and was released after a pair of injury-riddled seasons, was back in Indy for a tryout today.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 31, 2015
Jun 17, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Donald Thomas (66) watches the team go through drills during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Originally signed by the Colts to a 4-year, $14 million dollar contract in the 2013 offseason, the 30 year old offensive guard only appeared in 2 games in two seasons with the team after consecutive season-ending quadriceps tears. He was released on August 31st of this year as the team’s 1st wave of 53-man roster cuts.
However, the 8-year veteran has proven to be a solid interior offensive lineman when healthy, at least with the New England Patriots prior. However, he’s been more than 2 years removed from a fully healthy season, so it’s unclear if Thomas has anything left after such significant injuries.
Still, the Colts aren’t exactly settled at offensive guard, where starter Hugh Thornton has struggled with inconsistency and veteran acquisition Todd Herremans was benched earlier in the season for ineffectiveness. Outside of emerging young starting guard Jack Mewhort, there’s essentially little else with just backup Lance Louis–who lost the other starting job to Thornton after injury.
That being said, the Colts clearly liked Thomas enough as a prized free agent once upon a time, so he’s worth kicking the tires on to see if he’s regained his prior form.
The Colts stashed him on PUP for nearly all of this past offseason, but he wasn’t healthy enough to play in preseason, let alone most of the team’s practices. Therefore, the Colts never had a real chance to fairly evaluate Thomas–having to cut him prematurely because of roster demands and his health.
It’ll be interesting to see if Thomas ultimately ends up rejoining the Colts, but either way, it appears that the team isn’t exactly sold on their offensive line right now. Rightfully so too, as there is still considerable room for improvement especially along the interior.