Michael Thomas (defensive back)

Michael Thomas (born March 17, 1990) is an American football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Stanford. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2012.[1]

Michael Thomas
refer to caption
Thomas with the Giants in 2018
No. 31 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1990-03-17) March 17, 1990
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:Nimitz (Houston, Texas)
College:Stanford
Undrafted:2012
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Practice squad
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2022
Total tackles:343
Sacks:2.0
Pass deflections:16
Interceptions:3
Forced fumbles:3
Fumble recoveries:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Professional career

San Francisco 49ers

Thomas signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent on May 4, 2012.[2] He was waived on August 31, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[3][4] He spent the whole 2012 season on the practice squad.

On February 11, 2013, Thomas signed a reserve/future contract.[5] On August 31, 2013, Thomas was waived by the 49ers and signed to the practice squad two days later.[6][7]

Miami Dolphins

On December 10, 2013, Thomas was signed by the Miami Dolphins off the 49ers' practice squad.[8] He made his professional debut the following week, where he recorded an interception off New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady with two seconds left in the game to seal the Dolphins victory.[9] He also broke up a touchdown pass intended for Danny Amendola before sealing the victory with his interception. After that game, he appeared in two more for the rest of the season.[10]

In 2014, Thomas played in eight games with two starts before suffering a torn pectoral in Week 9. He was placed on injured reserve on November 3, 2014.[11] He finished his second season with eighteen tackles.[10]

Thomas became a starter for the Dolphins in 2015, starting 13 games at free safety. On December 20, 2015, he made a season-high 11 tackles against the San Diego Chargers.[12] He finished the season with 85 tackles and two passes defended.[10]

On September 18, 2016, Thomas recorded his first career sack and forced fumble against the New England Patriots.[13] On December 4, he grabbed his first career fumble recovery against the Baltimore Ravens.[14] On December 24, Thomas made a season-high eight tackles and his second career forced fumble (but the Bills recover it) against the Buffalo Bills.[15][16] On December 29, Thomas was named the 2016 Good Guy Award winner, annually given "to a player for his professionalism and courtesy in assisting the media."[17] Thomas played in all 16 games with eight starts recording 58 tackles, one sack, one pass defended, and two forced fumbles.[10] The Dolphins finished with a record of 10-6 and made the playoffs for the first time since 2008.[18] On January 8, 2017, Thomas in his first career playoff game recorded an interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Wild Card round.[19] Along with teammate Xavien Howard, they become the first Dolphins to record interceptions in the playoffs since Calvin Jackson in 2000.[20]

On April 17, 2017, Thomas signed his restricted free agent tender with the Dolphins.[21] In 2017, Thomas played in 13 games with two starts before suffering a knee injury in Week 13. He made his first start of the season on November 5, replacing the injured Nate Allen.[22] He was placed on injured reserve on December 29, 2017.[23]

New York Giants
Thomas alongside other Giants' team captains in a game against the Washington Redskins

On March 26, 2018, Thomas signed a two-year contract with the New York Giants. Thomas had a career year with the New York Giants on defense and special teams. Thomas notched 59 total tackles, one sack, and two interceptions on defense while getting 16 of his tackles on special teams and recovering an onside kick for the Giants. He was named to the 2019 Pro Bowl as a special teams replacement for Super Bowl LIII bound Cory Littleton.[24]

Houston Texans

On April 28, 2020, Thomas signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans.[25] In Week 10, Thomas suffered a season-ending torn pec and was placed on injured reserve on November 21, 2020.[26]

Cincinnati Bengals

On October 5, 2021, Thomas was signed to the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.[27] He was promoted to the active roster on November 15.[28]

Thomas re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year contract on March 17, 2022.[29] He was cut by the Bengals on August 30, later being re-signed to the roster, second on the depth chart behind Vonn Bell.[30] He was named as the Bengals' special teams captain on September 5, 2022.[31] He has been nicknamed "Uncle Mike" by his Bengals teammates, due to many of the team's young defensive backs citing him as a mentor figure and veteran presence.[32]

On March 13, 2023, Thomas re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals on another one-year contract.[33] He was released on August 29, 2023 and re-signed to the practice squad.[34][35]

Career statistics
YearTeamGPGSCOMBTOTALASTSCKFFFRFR YDSINTIR YDSAVG IRLNGTDPD
2013MIA 303300.0000100002
2014MIA 82181530.0000000000
2015MIA 16138566190.0000000002
2016MIA 1685843151.02127000001
2017MIA 1322716110.0000000001
2018NYG 1665941181.0100226132606
2019NYG 1624733140.0000000003
2020HOU 9016880.0000000000
2021CIN 8118990.0000000001
2022CIN 16012570.0000000000
Source[36] Career121343432391042.031273268.626016

Personal life

In 2016, Thomas earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Miami Business School.[37]

References
  1. Emmons, Mark (June 13, 2012). "Ex-Stanford safety Michael Thomas hopes familiarity with Harbaugh will aid quest to make 49ers' roster". The Mercury News. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  2. Fucillo, David (April 28, 2012). "San Francisco 49ers Undrafted Free Agents 2012: Chris Owusu Leads The Way". Niners Nation. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  3. McCauley, Janie (August 31, 2012). "QB Josh Johnson among those cut by 49ers". Pro32: Head to Head. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  4. Fucillo, David (September 2, 2012). "Your 2012 San Francisco 49ers: 53 Man Roster & Practice Squad". Niners Nation. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  5. Sakamoto, Ryan (February 11, 2013). "Michael Thomas Signs With San Francisco 49ers". Niner Noise. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  6. Fucillo, David (August 31, 2013). "49ers cut down to 53 players". Niners Nation. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  7. Sakamoto, Ryan (September 2, 2013). "San Francisco 49ers Practice Squad, Add WR Chris Harper To 53-Man Roster". NinerFans.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  8. Watson, Phil (December 12, 2013). "Miami Dolphins Sign S Michael Thomas Off San Francisco 49ers Practice Squad". Golden Gate Sports. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  9. Habib, Hal (December 15, 2013). "No-name hero seals Miami Dolphins' 24-20 comeback victory over New England". PalmBeachPost.com.
  10. "Michael Thomas". NFL.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  11. Perkins, Chris (November 3, 2014). "Dolphins' safety Michael Thomas out for season". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  12. "Miami at San Diego - December 20th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  13. "Miami at New England - September 18th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  14. Perkins, Chris (December 4, 2016). "Dolphins get pounded by Ravens, ending six-game winning streak". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  15. Nogle, Kevin (December 24, 2016). "Dolphins at Bills final score and immediate reactions". The Phinsider. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  16. Perkins, Chris (December 25, 2016). "Dolphins' playoff status is a waiting game, for now". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  17. Poupart, Alain (December 29, 2016). "Thomas Named 2016 Good Guy Award Winner". Miami Dolphins. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  18. Richards, George (December 26, 2016). "The Miami Dolphins are in the playoffs. What's next?". Miami Herald. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  19. Poupart, Alain (January 8, 2017). "Dolphins Season Ends With 30-12 Playoff Loss". Miami Dolphins. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  20. "Single Game - Miami Dolphins - Playoffs - Interceptions >=1". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  21. Gantt, Darin (April 17, 2017). "Dolphins signing RFA safety Michael Thomas today". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
  22. Kelly, Omar (November 3, 2017). "Dolphins' Michael Thomas expected to start at safety against Raiders". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  23. "Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. December 29, 2017. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018.
  24. Eisen, Michael (March 26, 2018). "New York Giants sign safety Michael Thomas". Giants.com.
  25. "Texans sign former Giants safety Michael Thomas to one-year deal". ESPN.com. April 24, 2020.
  26. "Houston Texans Transactions (11-21-20)". HoustonTexans.com. November 21, 2020.
  27. "Bengals Make Practice Squad Moves Ahead Of Week 5". Bengals.com. October 5, 2021.
  28. "Bengals Make Three Roster Moves After The Week 10 Bye". Bengals.com. November 15, 2021.
  29. "Bengals Roster Moves". Bengals.com. March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
  30. "Bengals cut Brandon Allen and sign 13 to practice squad". cincyjungle.com. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
  31. "Joe Burrow and DJ Reader Lead the Way As Bengals Announce Captains For 2022 Season". Sports Illustrated Cincinnati Bengals News, Analysis and More. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  32. Mohammad Ahmad, cleveland com (October 4, 2022). "Veteran safety, team captain Michael Thomas gives Bengals 'calming' presence". cleveland. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  33. "Bengals Re-Sign Michael J. Thomas". Bengals.com. March 13, 2023. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  34. "Bengals Reduce Roster to 53 Players for 2023 Season". Bengals.com. August 29, 2023.
  35. "Team Transactions: Practice Squad for 2023 Season". Bengals.com. August 30, 2023.
  36. "Michael Thomas". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  37. Habib, Hal (May 5, 2016). "Three Dolphins earn MBAs from University of Miami". Palm Beach Post. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
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