Starling

Thomas

The former Birmingham Stallion totaled eight pass breakups, one interception and 34 tackles last year. He is the brother of veteran NFL CB Stephon Gilmore, who currently remains a free agent. The Cardinals correspondingly placed CB Starling Thomas V (knee) and CB Jaden Davis (knee) on injured reserve.

Thomas was carted from Friday’s practice with an apparent knee injury, but the team has now confirmed the worst. Thomas, who has started 22 games for the Cardinals over the last two seasons, will now miss the upcoming season due to the injury. Last season, Thomas appeared on 817 defensive snaps while earning a PFF defensive grade of 60.9. He allowed opposing receivers to catch 30-of-51 targets for 396 yards and two scores on the year while playing exclusively on the outside. Last year’s No. 43 overall pick, Max Melton, is listed behind Thomas on the depth chart and will presumably step into a larger role with Thomas now sidelined.

Beat reporter Darren Urban writes that Thomas was able to climb onto the cart under his own power after leaping for a pass and landing awkwardly. Thomas is a starter on the Cardinals’ perimeter. He broke up three passes last season.

Thomas (5’10/190) grew up right down the street from UAB’s campus and was a star high school track athlete who won the state 100-meters championship with a scorching 10.53s time. As a sophomore in 2019 he tore his left ACL for a second time half-way through the season, but somehow played through it and managed to start every game that year. He came back even stronger and in 2022 posted a First Team All-CUSA campaign by breaking up 15 passes while earning a 79.7 PFF overall defensive grade. His speed is without question, running a 95th percentile 4.38s 40-yard dash with a 37.5” vert (80th%). However, his 4.36s shuttle (31st%) and 7.29s 3-Cone (17th%) were troubling agility times. A twitchy athlete who also returned kicks, Thomas smothered opposing wideouts at the Shrine Bowl and has the kind of frame, speed and instincts to be a valued slot corner.