The Patriots believe Demaryius Thomas will have a role with the team this season.
New England waived the 31-year-old wide receiver — who has been recovering from a torn Achilles — last weekend but re-signed him to a one-year contract less than two days later. Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about Thomas' health and the decision to bring him back during an interview Tuesday with WEEI.
Demaryius Thomas is back 👍 pic.twitter.com/SpFoZ8sW25
— Patriots on NBCSB (@NBCSPatriots) September 2, 2019
"We're going on limited information," Belichick said. "We only activated him for practice right at the end of training camp. Of course, he played in the Giants (preseason) game. We have to go on what we can go on. I'd say the improvement that he's shown, and the work ethic, and what he's been able to do has been good. It's been to the point where we feel he'll be able to make a solid contribution for us this year.
"The question is, 'Where will it go?' I don't know if any of us have the answer to that, but at least I know that he'll work hard, he's tough, and he's a dependable player who will put everything he has into it. So, we'll see what happens."
DEMARYIUS THOMAS TOUCHDOWN!#NYGvsNE @Jarrett_Stidham @DemaryiusT pic.twitter.com/D5ZKbovDoi
— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2019
Thomas began 2018 with the Broncos before he was sent to the Texans in late October. Thomas, however, suffered the torn Achilles after just seven games with Houston and missed the rest of the season. The Texans then released Thomas, with a failed physical designation, in mid-February.
Thomas has made four Pro Bowls and caught 62 touchdown passes during his nine-year career,
“I still can go,” Thomas told reporters last month. “I still can go. (Just have to) knock (a) little rust off and keep building the days."
The Patriots will open the regular season Sunday against the Steelers. They placed rookie wide receiver N'Keal Harry on IR with an ankle injury last weekend, as well.