title: Hollis Thomas
text: # Hollis Thomas
  
  Hollis Thomas, Jr. (born January 10, 1974) is a former American football defensive tackle. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 1996. He played college football at Northern Illinois.
  
  Thomas also played for the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers.
  
  ## Professional career
  
  ### Philadelphia Eagles
  
  In 1996, Thomas signed a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He was a major part of the Eagles defense during his 10-year career in Philadelphia.
  
  ### New Orleans Saints
  
  Right after Thomas was cut by the Philadelphia Eagles, the Saints claimed him from the waivers. When healthy, Thomas was considered an important part of the Saints' defense, especially against running plays, and he was seen as playing a key role in the Saints' successful 2006 season, when they reached the NFC championship game for the first time in their history.
  
  On December 5, 2006, Thomas was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating the league's steroids policy. In Thomas' appeal, New Orleans team doctor John Amos said that Thomas' asthma medicine contained two steroids, creating a false positive but Thomas lost the appeal.
  
  Thomas tore his right triceps on August 14, 2008, in a pass-rushing drill against a Houston Texans offensive lineman. He was later released on September 11 with an injury settlement. The Saints re-signed him on November 3.
  
  On April 29, 2009, it was reported that the Saints had released Thomas.
  
  ### St. Louis Rams
  
  On July 29, 2009, the St. Louis Rams signed Thomas. He was given a 1-year deal for an undisclosed amount.
  
  ### Carolina Panthers
  
  Thomas was signed by the Carolina Panthers on October 1, 2009, after the team waived defensive tackle Ra'Shon Harris. In a game against the Buffalo Bills on October 25, 2009, Thomas tackled Bills running back Fred Jackson in the end-zone for a safety.
  
  