Catchless in loss

Thomas was unable to haul in his lone target during Sunday's 24-12 loss to New England.

Analysis: Thomas has caught just one of four targets since rookie Josh Allen returned to the starting job. The Virginia Tech product has been held to one or no catches in every game this season with the exception of Week 9's seven-catch explosion against Chicago in a game in which Nathan Peterman was under center. Though the season ends with a matchup against a bottom-10 Miami pass defense, odds are that there won't be enough opportunities for Thomas for him to make a difference.

Practices in full

Thomas (hamstring) was a full participant in Thursday's practice session.

Analysis: Thomas has some recent action due to his hamstring injury, but it appears he may have turned a corner after his full practice Thursday. He'll look to resume his role as a backup tight end for the Bills against the Patriots in Week 16.

Limited in practice

Thomas (hamstring) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice.

Analysis: Thomas has missed two of the Bills' last three games due to a lingering hamstring injury, leaving his status for Sunday's divisional tilt against the Patriots uncertain. If the depth tight end is unable to suit up Week 16, more snaps would be available for backup tight end Jason Croom behind starter Charles Clay.

Out Week 15

Thomas (hamstring) is listed as inactive Sunday against Detroit.

Analysis: A late addition to the injury report, Thomas will miss his second contest in just a three-week span. Charles Clay should once again draw the start, with Jason Croom on hand in a reserve capacity to help out primarily as a blocker.

Questionable for Sunday

Thomas (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup with the Lions.

Analysis: Thomas was a late addition to the injury report, registering a full practice Thursday. The Virginia Tech product was able to practice Friday as well, but in a limited capacity. Thomas is listed last on the tight end depth chart and only has three targets in his last two games, so the team likely wouldn't be impacted much if he misses the game Sunday.

Does little in expanded time

Thomas caught one of two targets for five yards Sunday in the Bills' 27-23 loss to the Jets.

Analysis: Thomas played nearly as many offensive snaps (36) as starter Charles Clay (42), but neither tight end saw much involvement in the passing game. Opportunities could be more difficult to come by for Thomas in Week 15 against the Lions if fellow reserve Jason Croom (groin) is able to avoid a second consecutive absence.

New dad doesn't suit up

Thomas was a healthy inactive for Sunday's game in Miami.

Analysis: It's unclear whether Thomas wasn't in ideal game shape due to the birth of his child this week (he missed practice Thursday) or if he's simply been bypassed by Jason Croom on the depth chart, but with Charles Clay back in the mix, Thomas would only see a handful of plays even if he did suit up. No matter: Clay and Croom combined for one catch for nine yards in Sunday's loss, so it's not like Thomas was missing out on a fantasy bonanza.

Back at practice

Thomas (personal) doesn't appear on the Bills' final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Dolphins.

Analysis: After he was away from the team Thursday to witness the birth of his child, Thomas returned to work a day later and should be ready to play Sunday. Thomas' fantasy value is pretty non-existent, especially with starting tight end Charles Clay (hamstring) having a decent shot to play this weekend.

Misses Thursday's practice

Thomas missed practice Thursday due to personal reasons, Joe Buscaglia of WKBW.com reports.

Analysis: The coaching staff hasn't said yet if Thomas will be back for Friday's practice, though with starting tight end Charles Clay (hamstring) looking to return soon, Thomas' time on offense is about to become even more sporadic.

To see some of Clay's plays

Thomas' teammate Charles Clay (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Jacksonville.

Analysis: That means Thomas will likely share starter's time with Jason Croom, though like his teammate Thomas didn't do much with the extra playing time when Clay missed the last game, catching his only target for one yard. Thomas did post a 7-40-0 line the game before that, but with zero or one catches in every other game this season, you can find better tight-end options instead of trying to play the injury angle here.

Low production in Sunday's win

Thomas caught his only target for one yard during Sunday's 41-10 win over the Jets while seeing action on 41 percent of the Bills' offensive snaps. He also completed a 15-yard pass on a fake punt.

Analysis: The trick play was a thing of beauty and certainly contributed to the big win, but Thomas didn't have much production beyond that. Neither he nor Jason Croom (no catches) took advantage of starter Charles Clay being shelved with a hamstring injury, as the Bills simply spread Clay's usual modest targets elsewhere in the offense. The Bills are taking a good look at many of their younger players in what's turned out to be a rebuilding season, so Thomas will continue to have a small role even if…read more

In line for more work

Thomas and Jason Croom will share tight end duties Sunday versus the Jets with Charles Clay (hamstring) out of the lineup, Chris Brown of the Bills' official site reports.

Analysis: Clay's practice reps have been impacted on occasion this season, but the veteran TE still played in each of the Bills' first nine games before his current bout with a hamstring injury. Before he was knocked from this past Sunday's defeat to the Bears, Thomas and Croom earned regular snaps weekly, a number that increased to season-highs (47 and 42 on offense, respectively) in that contest. Thomas hauled in seven of eight passes for 40 yards working with Nathan Peterman, so his output could…read more

Catches seven balls Sunday

Thomas caught seven of eight targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 41-9 loss to the Bears.

Analysis: Thomas' extended usage came as a result of Charles Clay exiting early with a hamstring injury. Mistake-prone quarterback Nathan Peterman checked down to the tight end often, but none of Thomas' catches went for double-digit yards. Even if Clay misses the upcoming Week 10 clash against the Jets, it will be tough to rely on Thomas with Buffalo's offense in shambles.

Healthy scratch Sunday

Thomas (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Vikings, Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat Chronicle reports.

Analysis: Thomas has two receptions for 31 yards over the first two games, but a majority of his usage was still on special teams. Khari Lee may see a slight uptick in opportunities in Thomas' absence.

One nice catch in blowout loss

Thomas caught one of two targets for 24 yards in Sunday's game against the Ravens, the team's longest pass play in a forgettable 47-3 loss.

Analysis: Thomas appears to be sharing No. 2 tight end duties with Jason Croom behind Charles Clay, as both players saw the field for 18 offensive plays (28 percent) to Clay's 40 (62 percent). Clay has fought a balky knee among other issues for several seasons, so the situation between Thomas and Croom (both players have decent pass-catching ability) is worth watching in the event their senior teammate goes down for any length of time in 2018.

Back at practice

Thomas (shoulder) hauled in a pass from Nathan Peterman at practice Wednesday, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The backup tight end suffered a shoulder injury during the opening days of training camp, but his presence in practice Wednesday suggests Thomas is in good health ahead of Thursday's preseason opener against the Panthers.

Sporting non-contact jersey

Thomas (shoulder) is practicing in a non-contact jersey, Heather Prusak of NBC 2 WGRZ reports.

Analysis: Thomas hurt his shoulder during the opening days of training camp. The nature of the injury isn't clear, and there's no timeline for his return to full participation.

Injured during Sunday's practice

Thomas (knee) appeared to have suffered an undisclosed injury during Sunday's practice, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: The nature of Thomas' injury remains unclear, while Charles Clay is now the only healthy tight end with legitimate NFL experience on the Bills' roster as Nick O'Leary (foot/ankle) is also injured.

Thomas (knee) is expected to be fully healthy in time for training camp, Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News reports.

Analysis: Thomas was only supposed to be sidelined four-to-six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus in May. It's no surprise that he's expected back for training camp, when he'll compete with a mix of depth-caliber tight ends for the No. 3 job in Buffalo behind Charles Clay and Nick O'Leary.

Thomas underwent knee surgery and has been ruled out for the rest of the spring, Mike Rodak of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: While there is no specific timetable on the surgery Thomas was forced to undergo, the Bills likely won't be looking to force him back into action any time soon. Thomas is expected to enter the 2018 season as a depth option at tight end after posting seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown across 12 games in Buffalo last year.

The Bills extended the exclusive rights tender to Thomas on Tuesday, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Thomas and fellow tight end Nick O'Leary will remain in Buffalo next season. A converted quarterback, Thomas recorded seven receptions for 67 yards and a touchdown in 12 games last season.