Thomas recorded 14 tackles and recovered a fumble in the Bears' 29-13 loss to the Vikings in Week 18, and ended the season with 62 tackles and a fumble recovery over 15 games played.
Thomas was seeing inconsistent snaps as a backup for most of the season, but after the Bears traded Roquan Smith and then Jack Sanborn suffered a season-ending injury, Thomas took on a starting role and averaged eight tackles down the stretch. Thomas, an eight-year veteran, will likely battle for a depth role as an unrestricted free agent.
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Bears' Joe Thomas: Strong fantasy performance
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Thomas recorded 13 tackles in the Bears' 41-10 loss to the Lions on Sunday.
Since taking over the middle linebacker role after Jack Sanborn was placed on injured reserve, Thomas has at least six tackles in each of his last three games. He should remain a high-floor IDP option in Week 18 against the Vikings.
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Bears' Joe Thomas: Takes on expanded role
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Thomas recorded a sack and six tackles in the Bears' 25-20 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Over the past month, Thomas was playing mostly on special teams, but after Jack Sanborn (ankle) left the game with an injury, Thomas posted his highest tackle total of the season while recording his first sack as a member of the Bears. If Sanborn misses time, Thomas may be a reasonable streaming option in IDP leagues.
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Bears' Joe Thomas: Makes final roster
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Thomas is one of six linebackers on the Bears' 53-man roster, according to the team's official site.
Thomas will be playing on his fifth team in eight NFL seasons, and he has two seasons in which he's posted more than 33 tackles. Since having a strong year with the Packers in 2016, his best fantasy season since was in 2020, when he totaled 48 tackles with the Cowboys. He'll likely go undrafted in many IDP leagues, but if he gets off to a strong start, he'll be worth monitoring on the waiver wire.
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Joe Thomas: Let go by Texans
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Thomas was cut by the Texans on Saturday, Aaron Wilson of Sportstalk 790 Houston reports.
Thomas was active for each the team's first five games and held a role on both the defensive and special teams units. He tallied a total of 12 tackles, though his playing time did slip in recent weeks.
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Texans' Joe Thomas: Signs with Texans
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Thomas signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Texans on Monday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Thomas spent the last three seasons in Dallas, though 2020 was his busiest year with the team in terms of snaps and tackles. The 29-year-old now joins his third professional franchise and figures to slot behind Zach Cunningham on the depth chart while also chipping in on special teams.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Increased snaps in 2020
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Thomas recorded 48 tackles (30 solo) with two passes defended over 15 games in 2020.
Most of Thomas' IDP production came early in the season when neither Leighton Vander Esch nor Sean Lee were available, and the veteran linebacker amassed 33 tackles during that four-game stretch. All told, Thomas wound up seeing 408 snaps on defense, more than he had in his first two seasons with the Cowboys combined. He'll head into free agency having proven he still can be more than just a special-teams ace, but he's unlikely to land a starting role with a new club.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Not playing Sunday
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Thomas (wrist) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Steelers, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Thomas was questionable with the wrist injury but won't be suiting up Sunday. Luke Gifford could see increased snaps as a reserve linebacker behind Leighton Vander Esch.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Notches seven stops
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Thomas posted seven tackles -- one for a loss -- and a pass breakup in Sunday's 37-34 win over the Giants.
After playing every snap in three straight games, Thomas logged just 46 of 68 defensive snaps (68 percent) in Sunday's win. It's an interesting development, but no Cowboys linebacker received a major boost in snap share as a result, so this could've just been the byproduct of the game evolving into a shootout. Thomas should be back to his every-down workload in Week 6 versus the Cardinals, and he'll look to add to the 38 stops he's compiled through five games.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Career day in Week 2 win
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Thomas recorded a career-high 12 tackles (six solo) and a QB hit in Sunday's comeback win over the Falcons.
With Leighton Vander Esch (collarbone) on IR, Thomas got the start alongside Jaylon Smith at linebacker and posted a very Vander Esch-like tackle total. The last time Thomas had a significant starting role, he posted 70 tackles and an INT over 16 games for the Packers in 2016, including his only other two double-digit tackle performances, so the 29-year-old may well be able to keep up this level of production for at least a few weeks.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Re-ups with Dallas
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Thomas (knee) signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys on Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Thomas contributed primarily on special-teams in 2019, but he also provides the Cowboys with key depth to the linebacker corps. He'll now reunite with coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas, under whom he began his NFL career in Green Bay.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Sitting Week 17
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Thomas (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Redskins, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
Thomas began the week as a limited practice participant but was downgraded to non-participation Thursday and Friday. The Cowboys will need to make the playoffs in order for the 28-year-old to have a chance of playing again this season.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Battling knee injury
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Thomas did not practice Thursday, Michael Gehlken of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Thomas was limited in Wednesday's practice, so Thursday's lack of participation represents a tangible step in the wrong direction. The 28-year-old will likely need to practice in some capacity Friday for any chance of suiting up against Washington on Sunday.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Will play Sunday
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Thomas (knee) is officially active for Sunday's game versus the Eagles, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
Thomas practiced just once on a limited basis this week but will be ready to suit up despite the lack of practice time. The 28-year-old will look to provide depth with Leighton Vander Esch (neck) out, and has 32 tackles (21 solo) this season.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Sits out practice Wednesday
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Thomas (knee) didn't participate in Wednesday's practice, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
Thomas departed Week 15's win over the Rams with a knee injury, but coach Jason Garrett said the linebacker was okay following the game. Thomas' practice status isn't congruent with Garrett's words, but the 28-year-old has two more sessions to get back on the field. Should Thomas be ready to play Sunday versus the Eagles, he'll start at weakside linebacker.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Coach says he's OK
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Coach Jason Garrett doesn't believe that the leg injury Thomas suffered in Sunday's win over the Rams was a serious one, Damon R. Marx of The Dallas Morning News reports.
This is good news, especially with Dallas already thin at linebacker. Thomas seems likely to suit up for the pivotal Week 16 clash against the Eagles, though his practice participation in the lead-up to that game will be worth monitoring.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Active Sunday
Rotowire
Thomas (foot) is active for Sunday's matchup with Atlanta, David Helman of the Cowboys' official site reports.
Thomas was sidelined in Week 10 due to his injury but appears set to return to his usual role in Week 11. He'll figure to play primarily on special teams once again.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Won't play Monday
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Thomas (foot) was ruled out for Monday's game against Tennessee, Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Thomas was unable to practice again this week and will miss his third straight game despite coming off the Cowboys' bye week. Justin March-Lillard should see increased snaps in a rotational role at linebacker for the Cowboys.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Ruled out again
Rotowire
Thomas (foot) is ruled out for Sunday's game against the Redskins, Kareem Copeland of The Washington Post reports.
Thomas' lack of availability is no surprise, considering that he was unable to participate in practice all week. The rotational linebacker will miss his second consecutive game, and work to get healthy during Dallas' Week 8 bye.
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Cowboys' Joe Thomas: Won't play Week 6
Rotowire
Thomas (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Thomas did not participate in practice all week after being spotted in a walking boot following the Cowboys' Week 5 loss to the Texans. Dallas will be thin at outside linebacker with Sean Lee (hamstring) also sidelined, so Justin March-Lillard could be in line for additional snaps behind starter Damien Wilson.
