Baltimore Ravens wide receiver and returner De’Anthony Thomas voluntarily chose not to participate in the 2020-21 season on Monday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This is believed to have been Thomas’s personal choice not to gamble and that there were no pre-existing medical conditions influencing the decision.
Thomas becomes the second NFL player to stay out this season. Thomas’ decision comes three days after Kansas City offensive lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif chose to continue working at a long-term care facility in Quebec to help combat the pandemic.
After being Baltimore’s top returner last season, Thomas re-signed with the Ravens on March 14 on a one-year contract for $ 935,000 (only $ 25,000 guaranteed), but he was considered in the bubble entering the field of training. Sixth round rookie James Proche is now the front-runner to become Baltimore’s punt player.
Thomas, 27, will receive a salary advance of $ 150,000 and was included on the Baltimore reserve list, which means he will remain under contract with the Ravens in 2021.
A fourth-round pick of the Chiefs in 2014, Thomas spent six seasons with Kansas City before being cut in the middle of last season. He was an average player who did not make as many explosive plays as expected. Last season, Thomas tied for 15th with an average punt return return of 5.7 yards and ranked 18th with an average kick return of 18.9 yards.
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