Ravens re-sign returner De'Anthony Thomas before free agency opens

The Baltimore Ravens on Saturday re-signed wide receiver and return specialist De’Anthony Thomas, giving the team at least one option to bring back kicks and punts in 2020.

Thomas joined the Ravens halfway through last season after the team released punt returner Cyrus Jones. Though he rarely played on offense, Thomas manned both return jobs for Baltimore through a playoff run, producing mixed results.

He averaged 7.2 yards per punt return and 16.6 yards per kick return over eight regular-season games with Baltimore.

Thomas spent his first five-and-a-half NFL seasons playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. His role on offense diminished the past couple years, and Kansas City released Thoams in October after he fumbled a punt return.

The Ravens haven’t relied on a consistent returner in recent years, shuffling between options. This move to sign Thomas five days before the start of the NFL’s operating year — and full-force free agency —gives the 27-year-old speedster a chance to lock down the for next season. But Baltimore is likely to bring competition into the fold before training camp begins this summer.