Check out our series highlighting new 2021 player signings for the Houston Texans.
Get to know linebacker Joe Thomas, signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 22, 2021.
Name: Joe Thomas
Position: Linebacker
Height, Weight: 6-1, 233
Hometown: Blackville, South Carolina
School: South Carolina State
Get to know Thomas:
- Thomas played three seasons for the Green Bay Packers (2015-17) and three seasons for the Dallas Cowboys (2018-20).
- He reunited with Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy in 2020 after playing under him for three seasons in Green Bay.
- In 2020, Thomas stepped in when injuries took out linebackers Leighton Vander Esch and Sean Lee. He recorded a career-high 12 total tackles (six solo) and a tackle for loss in Week 2 vs. Atlanta.
- During the first quarter of the Texans-Cowboys 2019 preseason matchup, Thomas blocked a punt and secured the ball in the endzone for a Dallas touchdown.
- Thomas played four seasons at South Carolina State University (2010-13) after redshirting in 2009. As a senior, he started all 13 games and earned first-team All-Conference honors after recording a team-high 115 tackles, including 19 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, five passes defensed and an interception.
- His father, Joe Thomas Sr., became the oldest player to play collegiate football at the age of 55 when he played for SCSU on the team's Senior Day in 2016. His cousin, Troy Brown, played wide receiver for the New England Patriots from 1993-2007 and won three Super Bowls during his career.
- At Blackville-Hilda High School, Thomas played running back and earned all-State honors as a junior and senior. He was named Division 1A South Carolina Player of the Year, rushing for 1,976 yards and 31 touchdowns as a senior. Thomas also played basketball, track and soccer.
- Thomas finished the 2020 season with 45 total tackles (27 solo), three tackles for loss, two passes defensed and two quarterback hits in 15 games with four starts.
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