The Minnesota Vikings got a scare on Thursday when safety Theo Jackson went down during joint practice with the Baltimore Ravens after jumping to get his hands on the football.
Jackson appeared to be in some discomfort following the play but was able to walk gingerly off the field under his own power. While the severity of the injury remains unclear, the situation created another opportunity for an undrafted rookie who has continued to make the most of every chance he's received.
Jacob Thomas replaced Jackson with the first-team defense, another significant opportunity for a player who has quietly put together one of the more impressive camps among Minnesota's young defensive backs.
Thomas entered the offseason without the draft pedigree that comes with being a highly selected prospect. As an undrafted free agent, he had to earn his way into the conversation, and so far, he's done exactly that.
His performance throughout camp and the preseason has made it increasingly difficult to overlook him when considering the Vikings' final roster.
Thomas had an outstanding NFL debut in the preseason opener against the New York Giants, recording four total tackles (two solo), a stop and an interception. According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas earned 92.5 overall defensive grade, while posting a 91.6 coverage grade.
Of course, preseason statistics and PFF grades don't guarantee a roster spot. There is still plenty of competition in Minnesota's secondary, and the Vikings will have difficult decisions to make before finalizing their roster.
But Thomas continues to give the coaching staff more reasons to keep him around. The biggest thing working in his favor may be his consistency. It's one thing for an undrafted rookie to make a splash during one practice or preseason game. It's another to repeatedly find himself around the football and earn opportunities with increasingly important groups.
Thursday provided another example. With Jackson temporarily sidelined, Thomas stepped in with the first-team defense. That doesn't necessarily mean he is suddenly competing for a starting role, but it does show the level of trust and opportunity he's beginning to receive.
Thomas has already shown that he can make plays. Now, he's getting chances to show that he can handle increased responsibility.
At this point, it is becoming increasingly difficult to envision the Vikings letting Thomas walk away after the preseason. He has been one of the more consistent young players on the roster, and his production gives Minnesota another reason to find a place for him.
There is still time for things to change before roster cuts, but Thomas has done just about everything he could have asked of himself.
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