Joe Thomas (linebacker)

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 Green Bay Packers' active roster off the Cowboys' practice squad.[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 Dallas 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]

On October 19, 2021, Thomas was signed to the Baltimore Ravens practice squad.[16]

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]