Thompkins, Wright cut from NFL rosters

UPDATE: 11:00 8/31

Deven Thompkins has cleared the waiver wire and will return to Tampa Bay on the designated practice squad.
The Buccaneers can bring Thompkins to the active roster at any point in the season. Any NFL team can sign Thompkins away from the practice squad if they are signing him to the active roster.

Derek Wright has also rejoined his team on the practice squad. Wright joined the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad on Wednesday.

Two former Aggie wideouts were released by their respective NFL teams on Tuesday, which was the league’s deadline to reduce rosters from 80 to the allowed 53.

Thompkins and Wright were released and both are expected to be claimed by other teams or be signed and designated to the practice squad.

Thompkins, who signed as an undrafted free agent, UDFA, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 30, was cut on Tuesday. Thompkins performed well in the preseason, catching five passes for 52 yards. He was competing with fellow wideouts Scotty Miller and Bershad Perriman for one of the last receiver spots. Miller and Perriman are expected to fill those final spots. 

In 2021, Thompkins caught 96 passes for 1,589 yards — second best in the country — with nine touchdowns for the Aggies. 

According to Greg Auman, the Tampa Bay beat writer for The Athletic, the team said they would like to keep Thompkins on their practice squad once he clears waivers. This has since been confirmed. 

Wright signed with the Carolina Panthers and led the team in receiving during the preseason. Wright posted 84 yards and seven receptions across three games for the Panthers in the preseason, becoming one of the bright spots in a questionable Carolina receiving corps.

Joe Person, The Athletic beat writer for the Panthers, said on Twitter, “Derek Wright, who caught just about everything thrown his way in camp. Should be a practice squad candidate if he clears.” 

This indicates Wright will likely be a practice squad player for the Panthers if he clears waivers, though any NFL team is allowed to sign Wright once the release becomes official.

Wright had 45 receptions for 756 yards last season for Utah State while leading the team in touchdowns with 11.

This article will be updated with further information.

Featured image by Joseph F Myers from the 2021 game against Hawaii.