Daniel Thomas has one more shot to make Miami Dolphins roster

Jun 17, 2014; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas (33) runs with the ball during mini-camp at Miami Dolphins Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2014; Davie, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Daniel Thomas (33) runs with the ball during mini-camp at Miami Dolphins Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Running back Daniel Thomas is down and almost out, but as long as he remains on the Miami Dolphins roster, he still has a chance. After missing training camp and the first three preseason games, Thomas hopes he can break out and impress under a heavy workload in the team’s final exhibition of the preseason, when the Dolphins hosts the St. Louis Rams.

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“I haven’t been out there in a while, so I want to show coaches that my hamstring’s good and I’m feeling good and ready to play good,” Thomas said per the Miami Herald. “I haven’t played any this preseason, so I feel like I have a lot to prove.”

With Lamar Miller leading the way and Knowshon Moreno not far behind, the best Thomas can hope for is to make the team as a third running back and bide his time as an injury replacement.

The problem with that scenario is that Thomas will have to show something in one meaningless game that he hasn’t shown in the seasons prior. As the Herald article notes, “Thomas is easily the biggest running back on the Dolphins’ roster. But he gained an average of just 2.0 yards after contact last year.”

Two yards per run simply won’t cut it for any running back. Moreno was likely brought in to supplant Thomas in short-yardage situations, which could mean Daniel Thomas is already done as a Dolphin barring some kind of magical performance against the scrubs of the St. Louis Rams.

Expect Thomas to get a heavy workload on Thursday in order to prove his value to the Dolphins and hold onto a roster spot.