Washington Football Team tight end Logan Thomas Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Logan Thomas is back but Week 1 status remains unclear

Originally posted on DC Sports King
By King W. Motley III | Last updated 8/22/22

The Washington Commanders activated tight end Logan Thomas from the physically unable to perform list on Monday. Thomas had started training camp on the PUP list as he rehabbed from a torn ACL suffered in Week 13 of last season.

Thomas passed his physical Monday, allowing him to get started with individual drills.

Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Thomas won’t play in Saturday’s preseason finale against the Baltimore Ravens. Instead, the focus will be getting Thomas back to practicing and building a rapport with quarterback Carson Wentz.

Rivera was not ready to say whether or not Thomas would be ready to play in Week 1 of the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to ESPN’s John Keim.

Ron Rivera on Logan Thomas: "The next step is to see him in practice… best thing is, this is a step."
On if he knows about Thomas' availability for the opener: "No… [but] as long as he continues to progress there's some good things."
— John Keim (@john_keim) August 22, 2022

Healthy, Thomas is the Commanders best tight end. But he is coming off a serious knee injury in which he tore his MCL, medical and lateral meniscus in addition to his ACL last December. Washington won’t rush him back.

Thomas is unsure of the plan for him with practice or the regular season opener. His goal is to be on the field Week 1 against the Jaguars. But, he won’t force it.

Nevertheless, the Commanders would love to have him back at some point. They’ve been hit with a rash of injuries at tight end. Last year’s draft pick John Bates is dealing with a calf injury. This year’s fifth-round pick Cole Turner is out with a hamstring injury. Undrafted rookie tight end Curtis Hodges is hobbled.

The Commanders placed Sammis Reyes on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. Eli Wolf was placed on IR on Monday. With only undrafted rookie Armani Rogers healthy, Washington claimed Kendall Blanton off waivers from the Los Angeles Rams. Then signed Jake Hausmann to fill the tight end room.

Thomas was limited to six games last season. But, he had 72 catches for 670 yards and six touchdowns in 2020 when he was fully healthy. When he touches the field, the Commanders will hope Thomas finds his best form to aid Wentz in his first year in Washington.

This article first appeared on DC Sports King and was syndicated with permission.

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