Rookie corner Kevin Thomas injured his knee in one of the first organized practices for rookies way back in May. Since then, we've know his 2010 season was finished before it started. However, the Colts have kept him on the team's roster since despite everyone and their mother knowing Thomas is d.o.n.e. for 2010.
Mike Chappell of the Indy Star offered this reasoning for Thomas' status:
Yes, Thomas counts against the 80-player active roster, and it's very likely he'll miss his rookie season after suffering a knee injury during a rookie minicamp. But to place him on the season-ending injured reserve list, the Colts must waive him, which makes him available to any team. The Colts don't want to lose a third-round draft pick to another team. My guess is they will wait until rosters are cut to 53 and waive him. It's less likely a team will claim him if they have to include him on its 53-player roster. Once Thomas clears waivers, the Colts will put him on their IR list.
Well, today it seems the Colts did not need to waive Thomas before IRing him. He was finally placed on the Injured Reserve list, trimming the Colts roster down to 75 players before Tuesday's deadline.
Thomas continues a trend of bad draft selections for Bill Polian in the third round. Disappointments like Quinn Pitcock, Dante Hughes, Gilbert Gardner, and Sweet Pea Burns were all third rounders. However, current starters Philip Wheeler (3rd round, 2008) and Jerraud Powers (3rd round, 2009) have played well in recent seasons.
Thomas had a tendency to land on the injury list often in college, making his selection by the Colts this year all the more puzzling. We certainly hope he recovers and plays corner for this team for many seasons, but knee injuries like Thomas' are not easy to overcome. Just ask Michael Coe and Marlin Jackson.