Logan Lamont Thomas Sr. (born July 1, 1991) is an American professional football tight end. He was the starting quarterback while playing college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies in the early 2010s, where he finished as the school's all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns before being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft.

Logan Thomas
refer to caption
Thomas with the Washington Football Team in 2021
Personal information
Born: (1991-07-01) July 1, 1991 (age 33)
Lynchburg, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:Brookville (Lynchburg)
College:Virginia Tech (2009–2013)
Position:Tight end
NFL draft:2014 / round: 4 / pick: 120
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Receptions:219
Receiving yards:2,002
Receiving touchdowns:16
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Thomas spent time as a reserve quarterback for the Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and New York Giants. He switched to tight end, a position he last played in high school, with the Detroit Lions in 2016 and continued the role with the Buffalo Bills and Washington Football Team / Commanders.

Early life

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Thomas attended Brookville High School in Lynchburg, Virginia.[1] He played quarterback, wide receiver, tight end, and defensive back for the Bees' football team.[2] As a quarterback in his senior year, he completed 118-of-204 passes for 1,535 yards and 20 passing touchdowns, and had 842 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. On defense, he recorded 80 tackles and four interceptions. He played in the 2009 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. A four-star recruit, Thomas committed to play football at Virginia Tech over several other offers.[3]

In addition to football, Thomas also competed in track and field for his junior and senior years at Brookville. He earned All-state honors in the 110m hurdles (14.95 s), the 300m hurdles (41.03 s), the high jump (1.96 m), and in discus (48 m).[4] He won the long jump event at the 2009 Seminole District Outdoor T&F Championships.[5]

College career

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Thomas with Virginia Tech in 2011

After being redshirted in 2009, Thomas spent 2010 as the backup quarterback to Tyrod Taylor, appearing in seven games. He completed 12-of-26 passes for 107 yards and 22 rushing yards on six attempts. He also had a two-yard receiving touchdown on his lone reception of the season.

Thomas took over as the starter in 2011,[6] and started in all fourteen games. He finished the season throwing for 3,013 yards and 19 touchdowns, while also contributing 469 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns.[7]

In 2012, Thomas completed 220-of-449 passes for 2,976 yards and 18 touchdowns while committing 16 interceptions. He also rushed for 528 yards and 9 touchdowns.[8]

As a senior in 2013, he threw for 2,907 yards with 16 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.[9]

College statistics

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Virginia Tech Hokies
College statistics
Season Passing Rushing
Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
2010 12 26 46.2 107 4.1 0 0 80.7 6 22 3.7 0
2011 234 391 59.8 3,013 7.7 19 10 135.5 153 469 3.1 11
2012 220 429 51.3 2,976 6.9 18 16 115.9 174 524 3 9
2013 227 402 56.5 2,907 7.2 15 13 123.1 162 344 2.1 4
Career[10] 693 1,248 55.5 9,003 7.2 52 39 123.6 495 1,359 2.7 24

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Wonderlic
6 ft 6+18 in
(1.98 m)
248 lb
(112 kg)
34+14 in
(0.87 m)
10+78 in
(0.28 m)
4.61 s 1.61 s 2.60 s 4.18 s 7.05 s 35+12 in
(0.90 m)
9 ft 10 in
(3.00 m)
29[11]
All values from NFL Combine[12]

Arizona Cardinals

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He was selected in the fourth round, 120th overall, of the 2014 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals.[13] Thomas was the sixth quarterback taken in the draft behind Blake Bortles (3rd, Jacksonville Jaguars), Johnny Manziel (22nd, Cleveland Browns), Teddy Bridgewater (32nd, Minnesota Vikings), Derek Carr (36th, Oakland Raiders), and Jimmy Garoppolo (62nd, New England Patriots).[14] He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 21, 2014.[15]

Thomas made his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos on October 5 in relief of concussed starter Drew Stanton.[16] Thomas completed his third career NFL pass for an 81-yard touchdown to running back Andre Ellington. Thomas became the first NFL quarterback to have his first career completion go for 80+ yards since Steelers' Neil O'Donnell in 1991.[14] Thomas finished the game completing a single pass in eight attempts as the Cardinals were defeated by the Broncos 41–20. After Week 16 and after the Cardinals' one-sided loss to the Seattle Seahawks, head coach Bruce Arians announced that rookie Thomas would start over struggling Ryan Lindley in the regular season finale against division rival San Francisco 49ers, but "promised to have a quick hook."[17] Arians later announced that the team would start Lindley.[18]

Thomas was released on September 5, 2015.[19]

Miami Dolphins

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Thomas was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins on September 6, 2015,[20] and released Thomas on September 11.[21] He was re-signed to their practice squad on September 15.[22]

On December 16, he was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster.[23]

The Dolphins waived Thomas on June 16, 2016.[24]

New York Giants

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On June 17, 2016, Thomas was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants.[25][26] On September 3, he was released by the Giants[27] and signed to their practice squad the following day.[28] Thomas was on and off the Giants' practice squad throughout the first three months of the season, before being released on November 22; he had a total of 13 transactions with the team.[29][30]

Detroit Lions (first stint)

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Thomas switched to tight end and was signed to the Detroit Lions' practice squad on November 28, 2016.[31]

Buffalo Bills

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Thomas during a game with the Buffalo Bills in 2018

On November 30, 2016, the Buffalo Bills signed Thomas off the Lions' practice squad.[32]

He gained significant playing time in 2017 after fellow tight end Charles Clay was sidelined with a knee injury. On October 22, 2017, he caught his first NFL touchdown, a 22-yard pass from former Virginia Tech teammate Tyrod Taylor, in a home win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It was the second time that they connected for a touchdown, the first being in their college days.[33]

Thomas finished the 2018 season with 12 receptions for 77 yards in 12 games with 3 starts.[34] He also completed his first pass attempt since his time as a quarterback in Arizona, connecting with wide receiver Robert Foster for 16 yards on a fake punt play for a first down.[35]

Detroit Lions (second stint)

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Thomas playing for the Detroit Lions in 2019

On March 21, 2019, Thomas was signed for the second time by the Lions.[36] He was released on September 1, but re-signed the following day.[37] He played in all 16 games with three starts, finishing the season with 16 receptions for 173 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown.[38]

Washington Redskins / Football Team / Commanders

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On March 23, 2020, Thomas signed with the Washington Redskins.[39] He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list for the start of training camp before being activated on August 9.[40][41] In Week 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thomas recorded 9 catches for 98 yards and a touchdown during the 23–17 win.[42] He finished the 2020 season with 72 receptions for 670 yards and six touchdowns.[43]

On July 28, 2021, Thomas signed a three-year contract extension worth $24 million.[44][45] In a Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons, Thomas left in the first quarter due to a hamstring injury.[46] He was placed on injured reserve after the game,[47] and re-joined the active roster on November 29 after missing six games.[48] On December 8, he was placed on injured reserve for a second time after suffering a knee injury via a low block from Las Vegas Raiders' defensive end Yannick Ngakoue three days earlier.[49][50] Logan finished the 2021 season with 18 receptions for 196 yards and three touchdowns over six games with as many starts.[51]

In 2022, Thomas was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp;[52] he was activated on August 22.[53] He finished the season with 39 receptions for 323 yards and one touchdown (against his former Lions) over 14 games with 13 starts.[54]

In 2023, in a Week 2 win over the Denver Broncos, Thomas left the game with a concussion after scoring a touchdown and receiving an illegal helmet-to-helmet hit from safety Kareem Jackson.[55] He only missed the following game. Thomas finished the season with 55 receptions for 496 yards and four touchdowns (as well as a 2-point conversion in a loss to the Miami Dolphins) and 2 lost fumbles over 16 games with 15 starts.[56]

He was released on March 1, 2024.[57]

San Francisco 49ers

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On June 4, 2024, Thomas signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers.[58] He was released on August 27.[59]

NFL career statistics

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Year Team Games Receiving Passing
GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg
2014 ARI 2 0 1 9 11.1 81 9 1 0 101.6
2017 BUF 12 2 7 67 9.6 22 1
2018 BUF 12 3 12 77 6.4 24 0 1 1 100.0 15 15 0 0 118.7
2019 DET 16 3 16 173 10.8 17 1
2020 WAS 16 15 72 670 9.3 30 6 1 1 100.0 28 28 0 0 118.7
2021 WAS 6 6 18 196 10.9 35 3
2022 WAS 14 13 39 323 8.3 27 1
2023 WAS 16 15 55 496 9.0 29 4
Total[60] 94 57 219 2,002 9.1 35 16 3 11 27.3 124 11.3 1 0 104.4

Personal life

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Thomas is married with five sons.[61][62]

References

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  1. ^ "Logan Thomas' High School Timeline". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  2. ^ Walls, Dave (October 12, 2020). "#FFRewind - Brookville "Bee-lieve"". WSET. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  3. ^ "Logan Thomas Recruit Interests".
  4. ^ "Logan Thomas – Stats". MileStat.com. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  5. ^ "Seminole District Outdoor T&F Championships – Complete Results (Raw)". MileStat.com. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  6. ^ Giannotto, Mark (August 6, 2011). "Logan Thomas getting his chance to run Hokies' offense". Washington Post. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  7. ^ "Logan Thomas 2011 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  8. ^ "Logan Thomas 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  9. ^ "Logan Thomas 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  10. ^ "Logan Thomas". sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  11. ^ McGinn, Bob (May 1, 2014). "Rating the NFL draft prospects: Quarterbacks". JSOnline.com. Archived from the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
  12. ^ "Logan Thomas – 2014 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile", NFLDraftScout.com
  13. ^ Daniels, Tim (May 10, 2014). "ARI Takes Logan Thomas, 1st QB of Day 3". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  14. ^ a b "Arizona Cardinals: Logan Thomas". www.azcardinals.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  15. ^ Patra, Kevin (May 21, 2014). "Arizona Cardinals sign rookie QB Logan Thomas". NFL.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  16. ^ "Cardinals' Drew Stanton leaves game; Logan Thomas in". NFL.com. October 5, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  17. ^ "Logan Thomas likely to start for Cardinals in Week 17". NFL.com. December 22, 2014.
  18. ^ "Cardinals planning to start Ryan Lindley vs. 49ers". NFL.com. December 25, 2014.
  19. ^ Hanzus, Dan (September 5, 2015). "Logan Thomas released by Arizona Cardinals". nfl.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  20. ^ Alper, Josh (September 6, 2015). "Logan Thomas lands with Dolphins". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  21. ^ Nogle, Kevin (September 11, 2015). "Dolphins promote Jonas Gray to 53-man roster; Sam Brenner called up as well". The Phinsider. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  22. ^ Kelly, Omar (September 16, 2015). "Three Dolphins defensive ends nursing injuries". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  23. ^ Beasley, Adam (December 16, 2015). "Miami Dolphins elevate backup QB Logan Thomas from practice squad". Miami Herald. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  24. ^ Gantt, Darin (June 16, 2016). "Dolphins cut bait on quarterback Logan Thomas". NBCSports.com. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  25. ^ Marron, Brian (June 17, 2016). "Logan Thomas Signed by Giants, B.J. Daniels Waived: Details, Comments, Reaction". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 14, 2016.
  26. ^ Patra, Kevin (June 18, 2016). "New York Giants claim QB Logan Thomas off waivers". NFL.com. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  27. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 3, 2016). "New York Giants announce 20 roster moves". Giants.com. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017.
  28. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 4, 2016). "Giants announce practice squad; claim DT Robert Thomas". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017.
  29. ^ Eisen, Michael (September 13, 2016). "Giants sign DT Montori Hughes; release Kicker Randy Bullock". Giants.com. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017.
  30. ^ "Giants Re-Sign LB Deontae Skinner To Practice Squad, Cut QB Logan Thomas". November 22, 2016.
  31. ^ Rogers, Justin (November 28, 2016). "Lions sign Logan Thomas to practice squad as TE". DetroitNews.com.
  32. ^ Brown, Chris (November 30, 2016). "Bills sign TE Logan Thomas". BuffaloBills.com. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017.
  33. ^ "Taylor, Thomas connect for TD in Bills win". HokieSports.com. Virginia Tech Athletics. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  34. ^ "Logan Thomas 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  35. ^ "Barkley leads Bills past Jets 41-10". WGRZ-TV. November 11, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
  36. ^ "Lions sign free agent TE Logan Thomas". DetroitLions.com. March 21, 2019.
  37. ^ Schlitt, Erik (September 1, 2019). "Lions announce waiver claim of RB J.D. McKissic, released TE Logan Thomas". Lions Wire.
  38. ^ "Logan Thomas 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 20, 2020.
  39. ^ "Redskins Sign S Sean Davis, TE Logan Thomas". Redskins.com. March 23, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  40. ^ Cadeaux, Ethan (July 29, 2020). "Washington places TE Logan Thomas on the reserve/COVID-19 list". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  41. ^ "Washington Football Team Activates TE Logan Thomas From Reserve/COVID-19 List". Washington Commanders. August 9, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  42. ^ "Washington Football Team at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 7th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  43. ^ "Logan Thomas 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  44. ^ Jhabvala, Nicki. "Washington agrees with tight end Logan Thomas on three-year deal for roughly $24 million". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  45. ^ Selby, Zach (July 28, 2021). "Washington Secures Logan Thomas On 3-Year Extension". Washington Commanders. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  46. ^ Cadeaux, Ethan (October 3, 2021). "Logan Thomas ruled out vs. Falcons with hamstring injury". NBCSports.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  47. ^ Harrison, David (October 6, 2021). "Logan Thomas Moves to IR; Washington Football Team Signs TE Jace Sternberger". SI.com. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  48. ^ Selby, Zach (November 29, 2021). "Logan Thomas activated off Injured Reserve amid multiple roster moves before Monday night kickoff". Washington Commanders. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  49. ^ Washington Football Team Public Relations (December 8, 2021). "Washington places Montez Sweat on Reserve/COVID-19 list, Logan Thomas on Injured Reserve, signed Jonathan Williams from Giants practice squad". Washington Commanders. Archived from the original on February 2, 2022. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  50. ^ Alper, Josh (December 6, 2021). "Ron Rivera: Yannick Ngakoue hit that hurt Logan Thomas was avoidable". NBCSports.com. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  51. ^ "Logan Thomas 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  52. ^ Selby, Zach. "Commanders place Chase Young, Logan Thomas, Tyler Larsen, Chase Roullier on PUP list; Cornelius Lucas placed on NFI list". Commanders.com. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
  53. ^ Fortier, Sam (August 22, 2022). "Logan Thomas returns, improving Commanders' depth at tight end". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  54. ^ "Logan Thomas 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  55. ^ Legwold, Jeff (September 17, 2023). "Broncos' Jackson ejected from 35-33 loss to Commanders". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  56. ^ "Logan Thomas 2023 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  57. ^ "Commanders release TE Logan Thomas, T Charles Leno Jr". Commanders.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  58. ^ "49ers Sign TE Thomas; Waive DL Johnson III". 49ers.com. June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  59. ^ "49ers Announce Moves for Initial 53-Man Roster of 2024". 49ers.com. August 27, 2024.
  60. ^ "Logan Thomas". NFL Enterprise. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  61. ^ Rodak, Mike (October 27, 2017). "Logan Thomas leans on Bills locker room after death of daughter". ESPN. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
  62. ^ Warren, Matt (October 27, 2017). "Premature newborn daughter of Buffalo Bills tight end Logan Thomas passes away". Buffalo Rumblings. SB Nation. Retrieved October 28, 2017.
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