The Saints have released defensive tackle Hollis Thomas, his agent Michael Bauer confirmed. Thomas, 35, was scheduled to earn $1.4 million this season. He started 30 games in his three years with the Saints, including the playoffs, 123 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
The season is over for Saints starting defensive end Charles Grant, who was placed on IR Monday with a triceps injury. The team moved quickly to replace Grant, by re-signing veteran defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.
“Charles has played a key role for our team since we drafted him six years ago,” GM Mickey Loomis said. “This is obviously a loss for our defense, but injuries are a part of our league and it presents an opportunity for other players to step up and answer the call.”
The 30-year-old Grant had led the team with three sacks through the first eight games this season, and he had recorded 33 tackles, 27 solo and six assists. Thomas started 26 games for the Saints during the past two seasons. Thomas tore his right triceps in preseason and was released after reaching an injury settlement with the Saints, making him a free agent.
The New Orleans Saints announced on Thursday that they have reached a settlement with injured defensive tackle Hollis Thomas that would allow him to resign with the Saints at a later time rather than be lost for the season on injured reserve.
Thomas was injured in the second week of the preseason when he tore his triceps during a joint practice with the Houston Texans. Thomas had surgery the next day to repair the muscle and was expected to be out for up to two months.
Defensive Tackle Hollis Thomas tore his right triceps on Wednesday during pass rushing drills and will miss up to two months. Thomas had an MRI that afternoon and underwent surgery Thursday morning. The Saints may end up putting Thomas on injured reserve but the Times-Picayune speculated that the injury could possibly be career-ending after 13 years in the league.
The loss of the 34 year-old leaves the Saints with veterans Kendrick Clancy, Antwan Lake, Brian Young, Orien Harris and rookie Sedrick Ellis at the position. The Saints website quotes fellow tackle Brian Young as saying “These things happen, though, and while it’s hard to see a teammate and someone as likable as Hollis get hurt, we know we have the talent to keep going. We have some really good depth at the position and a good mix of older players and younger players and I think we’ll be okay.”
