Marcus

Thomas

San Diego’s fifth-round pick in 2008 has already bounced between three teams’ rosters. Thomas may lack the explosiveness to make this a career.

The former fifth-round pick is literally seventh on the tailback depth chart.

The Chargers’ 2008 fifth-round pick had no shot of making the team as the sixth back on the depth chart. He’s practice squad material.

A physical runner, which is how the Chargers like them. Thomas is expected to be behind fellow rookie Jacob Hester on the depth chart to start the year, but the opportunity is there for him to carve out a significant role.

Thomas virtually matched Jacob Hester’s production, but he’s not seen as a threat to take the backup job. He did look fairly nimble for a bigger back, and he performed well in the passing game.

Thomas was effective in the preseason and may latch on elsewhere. If not, he could go to the practice squad. Polk became expendable with Jyles Tucker’s emergence. Darren Sproles will likely return punts with Jones gone.

San Diego took a big risk by waiving Thomas after his solid preseason and it didn’t pay off. A fifth-round pick out of UTEP, Thomas immediately becomes Detroit’s No. 3 tailback and could be the team’s best short-yardage runner already, assuming a veteran isn’t signed. Keep an eye on him.

Thomas ran for 1,166 yards (5.1 YPC) and scored 16 TDs as a senior for the Miners. He was used in the passing game throughout his career. Thomas ran in the 4.6s at the Combine and is 6'1/215. Among Darren Sproles and Jacob Hester, Thomas could emerge as the safest bet to be LaDainian Tomlinson’s direct backup.

He’s the frontrunner to back up LaDainian Tomlinson, ahead of fellow rookie Marcus B. Thomas and return specialist Darren Sproles. The Bolts sent the Pats a 2008 fifth-rounder and ’09 second-round pick to trade up for Hester.

Thomas got hurt in practice. Gosder Cherilus starts at right tackle.