Players

CAREER TRANSACTIONS:

• Signed by the Colts as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, 2013.
• Signed by the New England Patriots on November 23, 2011.
• Released by the Patriots on November 21, 2011.
• Signed by the Patriots as a free agent on September 14, 2011.
• Released by the Detroit Lions on September 3, 2011.
• Signed by the Lions as a free agent on November 23, 2010.
• Released by the Miami Dolphins on September 4, 2010.
• Selected by the Dolphins in the sixth round (195th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft.

2012 (PATRIOTS):

• Played in all 16 regular season games with seven starts, one at right guard and six at left guard. Also played on special teams and right guard in short-yardage situations.
• Appeared as a reserve offensive lineman in both postseason games.
• Made six starts at left guard at Miami (12/2), at the New York Jets (11/22), against Indianapolis (11/18), at St Louis (10/28) and at home against the Jets (10/21).
• Started one game at right guard vs. Arizona (9/16).
• Started at left guard on the line that paved the way for two 100-yard rushers and a win at Buffalo (9/30).

2011 (PATRIOTS):

• Appeared in 10 games with one start at left guard. Was inactive for three games and active but did not play in one game.
• Played mainly on special teams, also seeing time in short-yardage situations and at fullback.
• Inactive for all three Patriots postseason games.
• Released by the Patriots on November 21, but signed back to the team two days later.
• Made his first start in a Patriots uniform at left guard vs. Miami (12/24).

2010 (LIONS):

• Went to training camp with Miami but was released on September 4 prior to the start of the regular season.
• Was signed by Detroit on November 23 and was inactive for the final six games of the season.

2009 (DOLPHINS):

• Played in all 16 games with 12 starts at right guard.
• Anchored an offensive line that led the way for 239 rushing yards against Indianapolis (9/21).
• Helped the Dolphins rush for 250 yards against Buffalo (10/4).

2008 (DOLPHINS):

• Earned the starting right guard position as a rookie out of training camp.
• Started the season opener against the New York Jets (9/7) at right guard before leaving the game with a foot injury.
• Was placed on Injured Reserve on September 9.
• Started all four preseason games at right guard.

COLLEGE:

• Was a four-year letterman at the University of Connecticut.
• Started 13 games as a senior in 2007.
• Named a first-team All-Big East Conference selection.
• Played in 10 games with two starts as a junior in 2006.
• Began his junior season playing on special teams and at tight end before moving to guard.
• Originally joined the team as a walk-on, playing defensive tackle and end for the scout team in 2003.

PERSONAL:

• Earned a total of eight varsity letters at West Haven (Conn.) High School, including four as a center in basketball and four more as a pitcher and first baseman in baseball.
• Did not play football in high school.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
• Earned a degree in political science from UConn.
• Donald Thomas found football while playing basketball. A former high school baseball and basketball player who had never played football at any level, Thomas arrived at the University of Connecticut. He was playing pick-up basketball with several members of the UConn football team who convinced him to join the team. After meeting with coaches, Thomas walked on to the team as a defensive lineman for the scout team in 2003. He redshirted a year before contributing on special teams. In 2007, he got his chance to play offensive guard.
• Donald and his wife have one son, Deegan Charles Thomas.
• Born Donald Grant Thomas in New Haven, Conn.