Friday, Jun. 26, 2009

Thomas not cleared to play for Fever

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

This has not been the Tri-Cities Fever's year, and the evidence kept coming Thursday.

Coach Pat O'Hara signed receiver J.R. Thomas to a contract in the morning, hoping the veteran wide receiver could help his team's ailing offense.

Thomas, who was the arenafootball2 league's rookie of the year in 2004 and was named one of the 10 best receivers in league history, had been practicing with the team for the past two weeks, getting ready to make a comeback.

That idea was derailed when the league office rejected Thomas' contract later in the afternoon for unspecified reasons, according to O'Hara. This ensures Thomas will not play for the Fever on Saturday night against Stockton at Toyota Center.

"It's pretty disappointing," O'Hara said.

The news forced O'Hara to re-shuffle his receivers for Saturday night. Brandon Copeland and Finas Rabb are expected to start, along with Tommy Devereaux, who has been activated from the injured reserve list.

Chris Hemphill, who has missed the last three games with a knee injury, also will likely play Saturday.

Notes

Quarterback Colin Drafts will make his first start for the Fever since 2007. Drafts' first af2 start was July 28, 2007 against Boise, a 52-42 Fever loss.

-- The Fever signed lineman Clinton Barley (6-foot-3, 285 pounds), a rookie from Western Illinois.

-- Offensive lineman Ta'ase Jennings is expected to return this week after missing last week with an injury. Defensive back Ray Little has also been activated.

-- The Fever released defensive back Brett Bowers and receiver Johnny Walker.

-- Defensive lineman Chuck Jones (knee) has been placed on the practice squad and will not play this week.