MOBILE – Cameron Thomas' Senior Bowl week lasted just one play before a hamstring injury shut him down and turned his focus toward getting healthy and having a good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next month.
It was a disappointing development for Thomas, who is one of the more intriguing pass rushers in this year's NFL Draft. Thomas' family is from Detroit, so he was looking forward to playing for the American Team coached by the Lions at the Senior Bowl this week.
"I really like the energy and passion the Lions have brought so far," Thomas said this week. "I'm just really excited to get an opportunity to learn from them."
View photos from the third day of practice at the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
SMU wide receiver Danny Gray during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall, Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell & Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Chief of Staff/Head Coach Administration Kevin Anderson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Special Assistant Don Muhlbach, Detroit Lions Assistant Special Teams Coach Jett Modkins during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach Ben Johnson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Ole Miss OLB Sam Williams during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Quarterbacks Coach Mark Brunell, Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Toledo safety Tycen Anderson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Nebraska linebacker Jojo Domann, Sam Houston State cornerback Zyon McCollum during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Western Kentucky defensive lineman DeAngelo Malone during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Ole Miss wide receiver Dontario Drummond, UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Florida running back Dameon Pierce during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Jesse Giambra during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
LSU linebacker Damone Clark during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Georgia linebacker Channing Tindall during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
South Carolina running back ZaQuandre White during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Nebraska linebacker Jojo Domann during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Appalachian State linebacker D'Marco Jackson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr., Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Auburn cornerback Roger McCreary during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Nebraska cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Tennessee cornerback Alontae Taylor during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Tennessee Velus Jones Jr., Detroit Lions Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Seth Ryan during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
SMU wide receiver Danny Gray during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Nebraska linebacker Jojo Domann, Michigan State full back Connor Heyward during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Backs/Pass Game Coordinator Aubrey Pleasant during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
LSU defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Arkansas defensive lineman John Ridgeway during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Ole Miss OLB Sam Williams during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Backs/Pass Game Coordinator Aubrey Pleasant, Detroit Lions Defensive Line Coach Todd Wash, Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Florida defensive lineman Zach Carter during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Florida defensive lineman Zach Carter during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Kentucky offensive lineman Luke Fortner during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Kentucky offensive lineman Luke Fortner, Alabama defensive lineman Phidarian Mathis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Seth Ryan during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Ole Miss wide receiver Dontario Drummond during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
SMU wide receiver Danny Gray during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach Ben Johnson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Liberty quarterback Malik Willis during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Coastal Carolina tight end Isaiah Likely during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach Ben Johnson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
San Diego State tight end Daniel Bellinger during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
SMU tight end Grant Calcaterra during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Co-Director of Player Engagement Sean Pugh, Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Quality Control Coach Tanner Engstrand during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Missouri cornerback Akayleb Evans during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Texas cornerback Josh Thompson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Co-Director of Player Engagement Sean Pugh, Detroit Lions General Manager Brad Holmes during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
UTSA cornerback Tariq Woolen during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Toledo safety Tycen Anderson during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Austin White during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
LSU offensive lineman Ed Ingram during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
SMU tight end Grant Calcaterra during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Georgia offensive lineman Justin Shaffer during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Quality Control Coach Steve Oliver during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
South Carolina running back ZaQuandre White during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Wide Receivers Coach Antwaan Randle El during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Director of Sports Performance Mike Clark during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
UCLA tight end Greg Dulcich during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Michigan State full back Connor Heyward during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
San Diego State tight end Daniel Bellinger during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Alabama running back Brian Robinson Jr. during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Georgia offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Morris Henry during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Assistant Coach Brian Duker during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Special Teams Coordinator Dave Fipp & Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Kentucky offensive lineman Luke Fortner during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Tennessee offensive lineman Cade Mays during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Kentucky safety Yusuf Corker Detroit Lions Special Assistant Don Muhlbach, during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Line Coach Hank Fraley during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Arkansas long snapper Jordan Silver during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Georgia punter Jake Camarda during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley during Senior Bowl practice on February 3, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Thomas had been spending time with the outside linebackers and coach Kelvin Sheppard before the injury. Thomas measured in at 6-foot-4 and 264 pounds at the weigh-in, and has played both inside and on the edge at San Diego State. He recorded 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss for the Aztecs this past season.
Thomas' father, Mike, grew up in Royal Oak, and his mother, Wendy, grew up in West Bloomfield. His parents moved out to California before Cameron was born, but he said he still has a good feel for Michigan.
"I grew up a Lions fan," Thomas said. "I definitely have a lot of Lions gear. It's exciting to be with the Lions this week, I'll say that."
How can Thomas prove he's a Detroiter at heart? He said every time he's in Detroit he goes straight for the best Coney dog in town.
The Lions need to add a pass rusher or two this offseason. They'll have their pick of the consensus top two in underclassmen Aidan Hutchinson or Kayvon Thibodeaux, but with Charles Harris scheduled to become a free agent and Romeo Okwara coming off a serious Achilles injury, the Lions could certainly look to add multiple edge rushers to the roster this offseason.
Thomas wasn't able to see the field much this past week because of the hamstring injury, but he was still able to tune into what the Lions coaching staff is preaching and how he can become a better player under their tutelage.
"I'm just trying to learn as much as I can throughout the week," Thomas said. "Getting a better chance to know the coaching staff. I'm just really excited to be here."
And if the Lions end up drafting Thomas?
"I would be ecstatic," he said. "Me and my whole family would be ecstatic. We wouldn't have to buy too much gear because we have it all. Just being able to play in front of my family would be so amazing."
