FOXBORO — All Demaryius Thomas wants right now is a chance, a chance to prove he can regain the form that resulted in five Pro Bowl selections, two second-team All-Pro honors and 60 touchdowns in his days with the Broncos.<\/p>\n
Last year, after being traded midseason to the Texans, he tore his Achilles on Christmas Eve in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n
After the Patriots signed him to a one-year, $2.9 million deal in April after the Texans released him in March, it was time for Thomas to re-group mentally and think of the new opportunity he has to win his second Super Bowl ring.<\/p>\n
“I played a while on opposite teams. Beginning of the season, the first team I\u2019d look at is the Patriots and see who they\u2019re playing, and come playoff time, see what position they are. Now to be a part of it, it feels great,” Thomas said after Thursday’s preseason game, the first contest he’s played in since tearing his Achilles on Dec. 24, 2018.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/youtu.be\/lNz2GGOChtE<\/a><\/p>\n After not seeing the field in the first three preseason games, Thomas caught seven passes on eight targets Thursday night in the preseason finale. He gained 87 yards and caught a pair of touchdown passes from rookie quarterback Jarrett Stidham in a 31-29 loss<\/a> to the Giants. But when Thomas played in the first half, he was showing he could still make catches in traffic and toe-tap around the pylon, two strong indicators that perhaps he is getting his feet under him to the point where he might be able to contribute when Tom Brady starts firing passes for real on Sept. 8.<\/p>\n “I was excited, especially first game coming back from tearing my Achilles, getting out to make a couple plays. You know, I was excited about it and I look to build on it and keep getting better,” Thomas said. “I actually feel a lot better now. Before the injury, I was a little smaller. But I\u2019m a little heavier, a little stronger. The program we\u2019ve been doing here has helped out a lot, so I feel great.”<\/p>\n Demaryius Thomas sold on playing with #Patriots<\/a> after his first taste of game action: pic.twitter.com\/nqTk45gKny<\/a><\/p>\n — Patriots on CLNS (@PatriotsCLNS) August 30, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n