Hugh

Thornton

Thornton came out of retirement this summer but didn’t impress in Redskins camp. The injury-prone 28-year-old hasn’t played an NFL down since 2015.

Thornton, 28, was a third-round pick by the Colts in 2013 and started 32 games for the team his first three seasons before falling out of the league due to injuries. Thornton briefly retired in 2017 but is now healthy and giving it another shot in D.C. He hasn’t played a snap in almost four calendar years.

If Thornton sticks at right guard for the rest of the summer, he has a very strong chance of beating out veteran Mike McGlynn. McGlynn started 15 games last season, and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ worst-rated guard. McGlynn is best suited for a backup role. It sounds like Donald Thomas will play left guard.

Thornton (6-foot-3 1/4, 320) projects as a guard in the NFL, although he was the University of Illinois’ starting left tackle as a senior. The 21-year-old brings a nastiness with him, and he could compete for a starting spot this summer.

Thornton (6-foot-3 1/4, 320) made 35 starts for the Illini, seeing time at both guard and tackle. He was Illinois’ starting left tackle as a senior, although left guard will be Thornton’s best NFL fit. He has 34 1/8-inch arms and ran 5.11 in Indy with 27 reps on the bench, so Thornton has athleticism, length, and strength -- and he plays nasty. Thornton’s mother and sister were murdered in 2004 while he slept next door, and NFL scouts believe he takes out his internal anger on the field. Thornton could push Mike McGlynn for the right guard job.

It’s a big blow to the Colts. Signed to a four-year, $14 million deal in March, Thomas was a solid and versatile interior performer. The Colts will be forced to turn to third-round rookie Hugh Thornton, who primarily worked at right guard during the preseason.

Thornton had lost his job to Denzelle Good, but this is a blow to the Colts’ offensive line depth, which is thinning after LG Jack Mewhort suffered a knee injury in the third preseason game. Thornton was a third-round pick in 2013.

The Colts entered camp with at least four players vying for the starting job at right guard but it appears the field has already been whittled down to two with Thornton and Good emerging as the clear frontrunners. Thornton has started practice at right guard with Good finishing there each of the last three days. Good is transitioning from right tackle while Thornton started at right guard last season.

Thornton was battling Denzelle Good to keep his starting job, but has missed most of camp after suffering a setback with his foot ailment. Injuries have been a recurring issue for the 2013 third-rounder, who was a liability when on the field last season.

Right guard is the only spot on the Colts’ line up for debate, and Thornton will face tough competition. His main rival is Denzelle Good, who is switching to guard after making four starts at right tackle as a rookie. Former starting C Jonotthan Harrison could also get a look, and fifth-round pick Joe Haeg saw some first-team reps during the offseason program.