Donald

Thomas

Thomas brings starting experience from his time with the Dolphins. He’ll provide depth with G Dan Connolly moving to center thanks to Dan Koppen’s left ankle injury.

Thomas wound up appearing in four games for the Pats, starting none. Ventrone figures to be active for Monday Night Football to play on special teams.

Thomas is back as insurance on the line thanks to left tackle Matt Light’s ankle injury.

Thomas made one start as an injury replacement last season, but the team is deep on the interior line. Projected starting guards Logan Mankins (ACL surgery) and Brian Waters (personal) are questionable for training camp, but the 26-year-old Thomas will have plenty of competition, including Ryan Wendell, Nick McDonald, and Jamey Richard.

It’s worth noting because Thomas appeared buried on the offensive line depth chart and was given a 30 percent chance of making the 53-man roster by ESPN Boston earlier this month. He’s still on the bubble, but saw first-time reps on Tuesday and appears to have an edge on Robert Gallery for a roster spot.

If Thornton sticks at right guard for the rest of the summer, he has a very strong chance of beating out veteran Mike McGlynn. McGlynn started 15 games last season, and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ worst-rated guard. McGlynn is best suited for a backup role. It sounds like Donald Thomas will play left guard.

Thomas ended up playing 616 snaps last season thanks to injuries to Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly, and graded out as a top-20 guard in Pro Football Focus’ ratings. With Mankins and Connolly both signed through 2014, there’s a pretty good chance the Pats will lose Thomas to free agency. Going on 28, Thomas could draw multi-year offers.

Thomas was an invaluable reserve behind Logan Mankins and Dan Connolly last season, but his strong play may have priced him out of the Patriots’ plans. The former sixth-round pick won’t turn 28 until September.

Indianapolis made it a priority to upgrade the offensive line, and they have added RT Gosder Cherilus and now Thomas to come in and help solidify things. Thomas started seven games for the Patriots last season and proved to be a top reserve. He can play any of the interior line positions, and the Colts need help at all three.

Thomas, who signed a four-year, $14 million contract, has played all three interior line positions. The Colts believe he’s an equally strong pass protector as run blocker. If the season started today, Indy’s O-Line would look like this: LT Anthony Castonzo, LG Thomas, C Samson Satele, RG Mike McGlynn, and RT Gosder Cherilus. They could afford to upgrade on McGlynn at right guard.