Indianapolis Colts place Donald Thomas on IR
By Brian Miller
ESPN’s Mike Wells is reporting that Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Donald Thomas will be heading to injured reserve. The guard has a torn quadriceps muscle and require surgery that will keep him out of the season. According to Wells, who announced the designation on Twitter, the news came straight from Colts head coach Chuck Pagano.
Pagano said Thomas will have season- ending surgery on his quad and be placed on IR.
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) July 31, 2014
A sixth-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2008, Thomas was expected to be the starting right guard for the Colts in 2014. In his six NFL seasons, Thomas has played for the Dolphins, New England Patriots, and of course the Colts.
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In 2013 he appeared in two games for the Colts and started both. He had started 23 of 45 games over those six seasons.
Last season, Thomas missed the last 14 games of the season due to the same injury. He was signed to a four-year deal with the club during the 2013 free agency period and was given a contract on paper of $14 million over the life of the deal.
The Colts will now likely turn to Ohio State rookie Jack Mewhort to take up the hole left by Thomas. Mewhort had been splitting reps through early training camp but with Thomas’ injury, he will now likely be called upon to take over not just the bulk of the first unit snaps but the job itself.
Mewhort is a tough, smart, physical player who comes from a big football program. That should help him develop quickly. The good news for Indianapolis is that Mewhort had been taking some snaps with the first unit.