Prior to the season, I figured WR/KR Deonte Thompson was on the outside looking in.
After the Ravens re-signed Jacoby Jones during the offseason as the team's primary kick returner and an offseason arrest, it appeared the writing was on the wall for Thompson's departure. Whether Thompson makes the 53-man roster remains to be seen, but the former undrafted free agent from the University of Florida wants to keep his name in the hat in Baltimore or elsewhere.
Through the first two years of Thompson's career, he has 15 receptions in 13 games for a total of 147 yards. As a kick returner, Thompson literally fumbled away his opportunity five weeks after winning the job during his rookie season and never regained the full-time role.
Battling to extend his career, Thompson has compiled a few highlights over the past two weeks in order to better his chances of catching on with the Ravens or elsewhere. Last week in Dallas, he returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown. On Saturday against the Redskins, Thompson was on the receiving end of a 21-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
The Ravens rarely ever keep six receivers on their roster, but if they decide to do so, Thompson is the one on the bubble. Even though he's been more impressive than rookie kick returner and receiver Michael Campanero, the Ravens traded a 2015 6th round pick to the Browns to jump back into the draft to select him. Unlike with Thompson, the Ravens haven't seen Campanero's full potential.
Regardless of what happens with Thompson over the next two weeks, his efforts the past two weeks will afford him the opportunity to continue playing football at least into the regular season.
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