The Seattle Seahawks are feeling the kind of pain this preseason that the Indianapolis Colts felt often last season, and almost literally. The defending Super Bowl champions have suffered numerous injuries in the last week alone. One of those includes former Indy starter Rodney Thomas.
The safety was something of a surprise starter in his first two seasons with Indianapolis in 2022 and 2023, but after starting a total of 25 games, even only started one in the last two seasons. He wasn't a perfect player, but statistically, he wasn't an awful one either. He gave up seven touchdown passes in his first two years, but also had six interceptions.
His hope was that he could join Seattle and find a better defensive fit. Instead, he hurt his right hand and has had recent surgery to repair the issue. He also heard the dreaded word from Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald that no player wants to hear: "If."
Former Indianapolis Colts starter Rodney Thomas is dealing with an injury
When asked about injuries after the Seahawks' loss to the Tennessee Titans in preseason Week 2, Macdonald said of Thomas, "He has a hand. We'll see if and when he's coming back on time."
What wouldn't be surprising is if Thomas is either placed on injured reserve and misses the season, or if he is released with an injury designation. He is unlikely to help Seattle try to defend the title it won last season. Even as rookie Bud Clark broke his ankle and will likely miss the season, Thomas's spot on the roster wouldn't have improved much had he been healthy.
His chance of returning to the Indianapolis Colts should Seattle release him is also slim. While Nick Cross left in free agency and signed with the Washington Commanders, Indy still had Cam Bynum and drafted AJ Haulcy, who has been quite good in training camp. Hunter Wohler is also battling for the starting spot next to Bynum.
In other words, the Colts simply don't have room for Thomas should he be healthy enough to return at some point. He has been healthy throughout his career, not missing a game in his first four years, but with a new injury and after losing his starting spot with the Colts, other teams might be leery of signing the safety if he does need to look for a new team after roster cuts are made on August 30.
He deserves better, of course. He was never a problem in the Colts locker room and did everything asked of him as well as he could, including not complaining after being moved to a backup. Maybe he will find a long-term home soon, even though that might not be in Seattle or Indianapolis.
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