Placed on IR

The Chiefs placed Thomas (lower leg) on injured reserve Saturday.

Analysis: Thomas suffered a leg fracture at Thursday's practice, so this move is not surprising. It was considered a "freak accident," and he will now spend the remainder of the season on the sidelines. His absence will mainly be felt on special teams, as he was serving as the primary kick returner. Tremon Smith is the most likely candidate to replace him there.

Suffers fractured leg

Thomas suffered a leg fracture after getting stepped on during Thursday's practice, but he will not need surgery, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Analysis: There was no malicious intent involved with Thomas' injury, as it is being described as a "freak accident." Nevertheless, it looks like Thomas will be sidelined indefinitely after fracturing his leg for a second time. Thomas' absence will mainly be felt on special teams, where he was serving as the primary kick returner.

Nursing leg injury

Thomas was a limited participant in Thursday's practice due to a lower leg injury, BJ Kissel of Chiefs.com reports.

Analysis: Thomas may have picked up the lower leg ailment during Wednesday's practice, as he was a new addition to the injury report Thursday. Limited participation indicates the issue isn't too severe, so he could be fine for Sunday's matchup against the Patriots in what is expected to be a high-scoring affair.

Doesn't receive touch in Week 2

Thomas didn't receive a tote or catch a pass in Week 2 against the Steelers, recording just six offensive snaps.

Analysis: While Thomas scored a touchdown in Week 1, it came on one of only seven offensive snaps on the day. He could see some more playing time down the road if injuries pile up, but there's nothing right now pointing to him seeing significant action on a weekly basis.

Scores on shovel pass

Thomas caught one pass on two targets Sunday against the Chargers, a shovel pass that resulted in a touchdown from one yard out.

Analysis: Thomas only played seven snaps total on offense in the opener and doesn't figure to play a ton this season overall, but he remains a valuable depth option and special teams player for the Chiefs.

Logs 12 total snaps Saturday

Thomas (lower leg) caught one pass for five yards and returned one kick 36 yards in Saturday's 27-20 preseason loss to the Bears.

Analysis: Thomas had limited action in his preseason debut after missing the first two with a lower leg injury, logging just four offensive snaps and eight on special teams. The fifth-year pro will be low on the Chiefs' wideout depth chart to start the season.

Absent from preseason opener

Thomas (lower leg) did not play in Thursday's preseason opener against the Texans.

Analysis: Thomas continues to work his way back from a lower-leg injury that dates back to last season. He was supposedly nearing contact work as training camp begin, but there's been no indication since that time that he has done so. When healthy, Thomas should be a candidate to serve as a special-teams player and a reserve receiver again in 2018, though the addition of Sammy Watkins this offseason pushes him further down the depth chart.

Nearing contact work

Thomas (leg) did some drills Monday and is preparing to ramp up to contact work, BJ Kissel of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Analysis: Thomas broke his right tibia Week 17 last season and was held out of minicamp and OTAs this spring. He'll likely be absent or limited for the early portion of training camp, but he apparently has a shot to be ready for 11-on-11 work at some point in August. The speedy 25-year-old has 61 catches, 28 carries, 71 punt returns and 48 kickoff returns through four NFL seasons.

Thomas (lower leg) was held out of minicamp and OTAs, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Analysis: Last season was the first time that Thomas suited up for all 16 regular-season games, but he broke his tibia in the final outing of the season and hasn't yet returned. The depth receiver and return man totaled 143 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions on the year. He's questionable heading into training camp, where he'll again battle for a depth receiver and returner role.

Thomas (lower leg) re-signed with the Chiefs on Wednesday.

Analysis: Thomas was reportedly offered $1.5 million to sign with another squad, but he declined the offer in favor of returning to Kansas City. The speedy wideout contributed mostly on special teams for the Chiefs last season, but he did rack up 14 catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns as well. He should remain a contributor as a returner and depth wideout for the club in 2018.

The Chiefs placed Thomas (lower leg) on injured reserve Tuesday, Pete Sweeney of the team's official site reports.

Analysis: The transaction seems to confirm Thomas suffered a broken tibia during the regular-season finale. While Marcus Kemp has been promoted from the practice squad to bolster the back end of the receiving corps, the loss of Thomas and Akeem Hunt (ankle) to IR leaves a question mark on kickoff returns. Jehu Chesson may be the best candidate to fill that role with three such returns for 65 yards this season.

Thomas likely suffered a broken tibia during Sunday's game at Denver, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Targeted just once before his departure, Thomas was never able to take advantage of an offense without the likes of Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on the sideline as healthy scratches. If Thomas' diagnosis is confirmed, both the depth of the receiving corps and the return game in Kansas City will take a hit.

Thomas will not return to Sunday's game against the Broncos due to a leg injury.

Analysis: Thomas went down with what looked to be an ugly leg injury and was subsequently carted off the field. The 24-year-old was slated for increased offensive snaps Week 17 with the Chiefs resting their weapons for the playoffs, leaving Jehu Chesson as the team's next available receiver behind Albert Wilson and Demarcus Robinson.

Thomas should see more snaps than usual Sunday against the Broncos with Tyreek Hill (personal) sitting out, Blair Kerkhoff of The Kansas City Star reports.

Analysis: Thomas hasn't seen many looks on offense this season, catching no more than three passes in a game. While it's unlikely that will expand a ton during the regular-season finale, he should see additional snaps and could sneak onto the radar with backup Patrick Mahomes under center.

Thomas hauled in both of his targets for 11 yards in Sunday's game against the Giants.

Analysis: Thomas played just 37 percent of offensive snaps in Sunday's tilt but managed to outproduce DeMarcus Robinson -- who was on the field 96 percent of the time the Chiefs had the ball. Even so, it's unlikely Thomas' role will change much moving forward, with him serving as a depth wideout and a returner on special teams for the club.