INDIANAPOLIS COLTS WEEKLY PRESS RELEASE

DONALD THOMAS
Guard 6-4 308 Connecticut
66
NFL Exp: 6 (1st Year With Colts)
How Acquired: UFA – 2013 (NE)
Born: 9/25/85
GP/GS (Postseason): 44/22 (2/0)
CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• Was placed on Injured Reserve on September 17, 2013.
• Signed by the Colts as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2013.
• Signed by the New England Patriots on November 23, 2011.
• Released by the Patriots on November 21, 2011.
• Signed by the Patriots as a free agent on September 14, 2011.
• Released by the Detroit Lions on September 3, 2011.
• Signed by the Lions as a free agent on November 23, 2010.
• Released by the Miami Dolphins on September 4, 2010.
• Selected by the Dolphins in the sixth-round (195th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.
2013 (COLTS):
• Made his first start in a Colts uniform in the regular season opener against Oakland (9/8). Blocked for a Colts rushing attack that
totaled 127 yards. Also provided time for quarterback Andrew Luck to complete 78.3 percent of his passes while throwing for 178
yards, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for a score.
• Started a Week 2 contest against Miami (9/15) at left guard prior to leaving the game in the first quarter.
• Was placed on Injured Reserve on September 17, 2013.
2012 (PATRIOTS):
• Played in all 16 regular season games with seven starts, one at right guard and six at left guard. Also played on special teams and
right guard in short-yardage situations.
• Appeared as a reserve offensive lineman in both postseason games.
• Made six starts at left guard at Buffalo (9/30), against the Jets (10/21), at St Louis (10/28), against Indianapolis (11/18), and at the
New York Jets (11/22).
• Started one game at right guard against Arizona (9/16).
• Started at left guard on the line that paved the way for two 100-yard rushers and a win at Buffalo (9/30).
2011 (PATRIOTS):
• Appeared in 10 games with one start at left guard. Was inactive for three games and active but did not play in one game.
• Played mainly on special teams, also seeing time in short-yardage situations and at fullback.
• Inactive for all three Patriots postseason games.
• Released by the Patriots on November 21, but was signed back to the team two days later.
• Made his first start in a Patriots uniform at left guard against Miami (12/24).
2010 (LIONS):
• Went to training camp with Miami but was released on September 4 prior to the start of the regular season.
• Was signed by Detroit on November 23 and was inactive for the final six games of the season.
2009 (DOLPHINS):
• Played in all 16 games with 12 starts at right guard.
• Anchored an offensive line that led the way for 239 rushing yards against Indianapolis (9/21).
• Helped the Dolphins rush for 250 yards against Buffalo (10/4).
2008 (DOLPHINS):
• Earned the starting right guard position as a rookie out of training camp.
• Started the season opener against the New York Jets (9/7) at right guard before leaving the game with a foot injury.
• Was placed on Injured Reserve on September 9.
COLLEGE:
• Was a four-year letterman at the University of Connecticut.
• Started 13 games as a senior in 2007.
• Named a First Team All-Big East Conference selection.
• Played in 10 games with two starts as a junior in 2006.
• Began his junior season playing on special teams and at tight end before moving to guard.
• Originally joined the team as a walk-on, playing defensive tackle and end for the scout team in 2003.
PERSONAL:
• Earned a total of eight varsity letters at Hill Regional Career Magnet High School in New Haven, Conn., including four as a center in
basketball and four more as a pitcher and first baseman in baseball.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
• Earned a degree in political science from UConn.
• Thomas found football while playing basketball. A former high school baseball and basketball player who had never played football at
any level, Thomas arrived at the University of Connecticut. He was playing pick-up basketball with several members of the UConn
football team who convinced him to join the team. After meeting with coaches, Thomas walked on to the team as a defensive lineman
for the scout team in 2003. He redshirted a year before contributing on special teams. In 2007, he got his chance to play offensive
guard.
• Donald and his wife have one son, Deegan Charles Thomas.
• Born Donald Grant Thomas in New Haven, Conn.