Ambry

Thomas

According to 49ers reporter Cam Inman, Aiyuk’s status for Week 3 will depend on what he and the trainers conclude. Inman reports that head coach Kyle Shanahan said Aiyuk (shoulder) and CB Ambry Thomas (knee) will be limited in Tuesday’s practice. After a CT scan yesterday, Aiyuk has no clavicle break and may have an AC sprain. With a quick Thursday turnaround this week, it will be tough for Aiyuk to get back in time to play. However, a limited practice would provide an encouraging outlook for his Week 4 status.

Thomas (6'0/182), who opted out of the 2020 season after the Big Ten originally announced the cancellation of its season back in August, is still on the radar of many teams heading into draft season. He’s been projected by multiple draft analysts as a potential second-round pick. Both Green Bay and New Orleans are set to pick later in that round, with the Saints holding the 60th overall pick and the Packers the 62nd. And with both teams needing to address the cornerback position, Thomas could very well be in play for both franchises come April.

Thomas (6'0/182) announced his intention to enter the 2021 NFL Draft back in August, shortly after the Big Ten announced its original decision to cancel the season. The senior defensive back has continued to prepare for the draft, and he’ll have the opportunity to showcase his skills at the Senior Bowl as well. An all-Big Ten selection in 2019, Thomas finished that season with 38 total tackles (3.0 for loss), seven pass breakups, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 13 starts. Thomas has been projected as a Day 2 selection in next spring’s draft, likely hearing his name called in the second round.

Thomas (6'0/183) won’t be sticking around Ann Arbor for any potential spring season. The talented cornerback, playing mostly press coverage in 2019, logged 38 tackles (3.0 for loss) to go with three passes defensed and three interceptions across 13 starts last fall. The Wolverines cornerback could potentially land as a Day 2 selection in the draft upcoming. And on the Michigan side, well, the Wolverines have a long, open autumn to figure out Thomas’ replacement.

Thomas (6'0/183) was thrown right into the fire in his first year as a starter. Despite the tough press-heavy role, Thomas executed quite well, giving up just eight receptions on press coverage targets of over 10 yards. He also picked off a pair of passes on such targets. Thomas considered declaring for the NFL draft this year, but decided to go back in January. The Wolverines coaching staff will surely be glad to have him back for a second season as a starter.

Thomas (6'0/183) missed some time in pre-season camp with a bout of colitis, but bounced back to play in 12 games recording 38 tackles, 30 solo, four passes defensed and three interceptions. He was voted third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and will once again lock down a starting cornerback spot for the Wolverines defense. Michigan will have to replace the departed Lavert Hill at the other starting cornerback position, with the early favorite being former four-star sophomore Vincent Gray.

Thomas (6'0/183) was held out of practices early on due to his bout of colitis -- it’s an inflammation of the inner lining of the colon -- but has been making progress. While it remains unclear just when Thomas might be ready for a full return, he should be counted as doubtful for Saturday’s season-opener against Middle Tennessee. UM has been giving redshirt freshman Vincent Gray a closer camp look with Thomas sidelined.

Thomas (6'0/183) has yet to practice during fall camp, as his case of colitis has been an issue for him since July. With the junior cornerback still out Michigan has been forced to look in another direction for the starter opposite standout Lavert Hill, with redshirt freshman Vincent Gray being the top option. Thomas appeared in 13 games last season, tallying nine total tackles, one interception, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery.

Thomas (6'0/183) continues to rehab from an undisclosed issue and has not been participating in preseason camp to any serious degree. Just when he might be able to get into the thick of things remains unclear. The true junior had been tracking toward a potential starting role opposite Lavert Hill this offseason. That may well still end up coming to fruition, but if Thomas is sidelined into the campaign, Vincent Gray could potentially see starts in his place. Gray is a redshirt freshman, so we would be talking about a serious downgrade in experience for the Playoff-hopeful Wolverines in that case.

“Hopeful. Don’t know yet. We’ll see,” Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh said Friday when asked about Thomas’ status for the start of camp. “There’s some things we’re hoping. Hoping for the best — and that would be that he would be there at the beginning of camp, or soon after camp starts.” Thomas (6'0/183), who appeared in all 13 games last season and was a backup in the secondary, is viewed by many as the corner most likely to start opposite Lavert Hill this fall. Should he not be able to play at the start of the season, redshirt freshman Vincent Gray would be the most likely replacement.