Former Arizona Cardinals pass rusher Xavier Thomas is facing a three-game suspension from the NFL, according to the league’s transaction page.
Thomas was most recently with the San Francisco 49ers during the preseason before they waived him with an injury designation on Aug. 22. He remains a free agent.
Arizona originally made Thomas a fifth-round pick in 2024, and he logged a rookie season that included 14 games, 10 total tackles, one pass defensed, one forced fumble and 2.5 sacks.
After that first NFL stretch, former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon praised what he saw from the rookie.
“I thought he played (with a) high motor and high effort which is really good to see. I saw violence out there and I think he rushed pretty good," former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said after Thomas' first taste of NFL action.
"He was definitely back around the mix. He caught my eye.
He will have a lot to learn out there too. It was good to see him riled up and playing.”
Thomas seemed to have a path toward a bigger role heading into 2025, but that never really materialized. Four games with no box score stats, plus the return of BJ Ojulari and Baron Browning from injury, pushed him out of the mix, and Arizona released him on Nov. 28.
The Houston Texans claimed him on Dec. 3 and stashed him on their practice squad before signing him to a futures contract. That stay ended when they waived him with an injury designation on May 13.
For now, Thomas’ NFL future looks uncertain, especially with no public detail on what led to the suspension.
Arizona’s edge group heading into 2026 currently includes Josh Sweat, Zaven Collins, Baron Browning, Jordan Burch and Eku Leota.
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