New England Patriots Report

Thomas in line to start at left guard

September, 30, 2012

9/30/12

12:42

PM ET

By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Fifth-year veteran Donald Thomas took reps at left guard in warmups, an indication that he is the leading candidate to replace Logan Mankins in the starting lineup.

Thomas, who started at right guard against the Cardinals in place of Dan Connolly on Sept. 16, is in line to make his 16th career start. Last season, when Logan Mankins moved from left guard to left tackle in a Dec. 24 game against the Dolphins, Thomas was also his replacement.

The 6-foot-4, 305-pound Thomas was originally signed by the Patriots on Nov. 23, 2011.

Mike Reiss

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com

Covered Patriots since 1997
Blogging on Pats since 2004
Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009

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ABOUT THIS BLOG

Mike Reiss

Mike Reiss first started covering the Patriots in 1997 with the team's official newspaper, Patriots Football Weekly, before moving on to the MetroWest Daily News in his hometown of Framingham. From 2005 to 2009, he covered the Patriots for The Boston Globe, while also writing on the NFL. He started his popular Patriots blog in 2004. Send any questions or comments for Mike to his mailbag. Follow him on Twitter (@MikeReiss).

Mike Rodak

Mike Rodak began covering the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com in July 2010. A native of Grafton, Mass., Mike attended Providence College. Follow him on Twitter (@mikerodak)

Field Yates

Field Yates begins his contributions to ESPNBoston.com in 2012 after having written for a number of football-related sites around the web. Field began his professional career after college with the Kansas City Chiefs, working in both the scouting and coaching departments of the franchise before redirecting his focus to a career in media. He also interned for four summers in the coaching and scouting departments with the Patriots. Follow him on Twitter (@FieldYates).