Ian Thomas will be a new backup
The Las Vegas Raiders continued to slowly add depth to their 2025 roster by signing veteran reserve tight end Ian Thomas on Tuesday, the team announced.
Thomas, who turns 29 in June, has spent his entire seven-season NFL career with the Carolina Panthers. He was a fourth-round pick out of Indiana in 2018.
Thomas has played in 99 NFL games with 54 starts. He started all 17 games for the Panthers in 2022, but has just a combined seven starts in the past two seasons. He missed 12 games due to injury last season and five games in 2023.
Thomas has a total of 119 receptions in his NFL career. He had a career-high 36 catches as a rookie. He had three catches last season and five in 2023.
Thomas will be a backup in Las Vegas. The team saw third-string tight end Harrison Bryant sign with the Philadelphia Eagles this month. The team, of course, has star Brock Bowers entering his second season and third-year player Michael Mayer on as the No. 2. There have been reports that Mayer could be on the trade market. If so, Thomas would be the No. 2 and the team could add more depth at the position.
Thomas is the eighth veteran the Raiders have signed so far. The others are:
Alex Cappa, guard. (Was cut by Cincinnati on Monday).
Jeremy Chinn, safety, (Washington).
Leki Fotu, defensive tackle (New York Jets).
Lonnie Johnson, defensive back, (Carolina).
Raheem Mostert, running back, (Miami).
Elandon Roberts, linebacker, (Pittsburgh).
Eric Stokes, cornerback, (Green Bay).