HEADLINES

Deven Thompkins

Panthers Sign WR Deven Thompkins

July 25th, 2024 at 3:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Waived by the Buccaneers after allegations of domestic violence surfaced, Deven Thompkins later received word he would not be suspended under the NFL’s personal conduct policy. This will lead to another chance for the young wide receiver.

The Panthers added Thompkins on Thursday, reuniting him with 2023 Bucs OC Dave Canales. Thompkins has largely operated as a backup and return specialist. With the Panthers having made some notable receiver investments over the past two years, it would appear Thompkins will compete for such a role in Carolina as well.

The Bucs waived Thompkins, 24, with an injury designation in June, doing so days after his estranged wife alleged domestic abuse. Thompkins’ wife, Maria Castilhos, accused the wide receiver of physical abuse dating back to February 14, 2023. Thompkins filed for divorce on Feb. 27, 2024. In the wake of Castilhos’ accusations, he recently filed a lawsuit against her for defamation and tortious interference with his NFL contract. As part of that claim, Thompkins alleges that Castilhos threatened him “with fabricated allegations of domestic violence unless he met her financial demands for additional alimony” in the divorce proceeding.

An NFL meeting led to assurances the 5-foot-8, 155-pound wideout would not receive a suspension. Barely a week after that ruling, the former UDFA will receive another shot. This comes at an interesting point, as an offseason rule change is set to revive the kickoff return. Thompkins served as Tampa Bay’s primary kick returner in 2022 and ’23; he was also the Bucs’ lead punt returner last season.

Raheem Blackshear and Laviska Shenault Jr. served as Carolina’s kick returners last season. Shenault is now with the Seahawks, while Blackshear remains on the Panthers’ roster. As a receiver, Thompkins caught 17 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown last season.

WR Deven Thompkins Will Not Face NFL Discipline

July 15th, 2024 at 3:18pm CST by Adam La Rose

Deven Thompkins‘ situation has become clearer with respect to his legal status in the league’s view and his playing future. The former Buccaneers receiver and returner is no longer the subject of an NFL investigation stemming from domestic abuse allegations.

“Following a review of the matter, the league did not discover sufficient evidence to support a finding of a violation of the personal conduct policy,” a statement from NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy reads (via Greg Auman of Fox Sports).

Thompkins was waived with an injury designation by the Buccaneers in June shortly before allegations of domestic abuse by his estranged wife, Maria Castillos. The latter made claims in social media posts about abuse dating back to February 14, 2023. Thompkins denied the allegations and responded by filing a defamation suit. As the parties continue through divorce proceedings, Auman notes Castillos has now taken down the videos which contain the allegations.

Thompkins sought out – and was granted – a meeting with a pair of personal conduct investigators as well as an NFLPA attorney earlier this month. Shortly thereafter, today’s news has emerged confirming he is in the clear with respect to facing any potential league discipline. The 24-year-old remains free to sign with an interested team at any time, and the latest update on his situation should help his chances of landing a deal.

A former UDFA, Thompkins made only 22 receptions during his Tampa Bay tenure. He contributed on kick and punt returns over the past two seasons, however, totaling 1,082 all-purpose yards. That production – coupled with the fact the hamstring injury which was noted during his Buccaneers release has had plenty of time to heal – could help him find a spot ahead of training camps opening around the league.

Deven Thompkins Secures Meeting With NFL

July 7th, 2024 at 12:57pm CST by Rory Parks

Former Buccaneers wide receiver/return specialist Deven Thompkins met with two NFL Personal Conduct Policy investigators and an NFLPA attorney in New York last week, as ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported. Thompkins actively sought the meeting, which took place sooner than it otherwise would have, as part of his effort to clear his name and land another NFL opportunity this season.

Thompkins, 24, was waived from injured reserve with an injury settlement last month, which made him a free agent. Given his production as a return man in 2023, he ordinarily would have stood a good chance at hooking on with a new club. After all, the injury that ostensibly precipitated his release was a Grade 1 hamstring strain that should be fully healed by now.

The problem for Thompkins is that his estranged wife, Maria Castilhos, has accused him of physical abuse dating back to February 14, 2023. Thompkins filed for divorce on February 27, and in the wake of Castilhos’ accusations, he recently filed a lawsuit against her for defamation and tortious interference with his NFL contract. As part of that claim, Thompkins alleges that Castilhos threatened him “with fabricated allegations of domestic violence unless he met her financial demands for additional alimony” in the divorce proceeding.

As of the time of this writing, Thompkins has not been suspended, and given that his steadfast denials have now evolved into a separate suit, the league may wait until more information comes to light before taking any action. In the meantime, he is free to sign with any club, though the nature of Castilhos’ allegations will doubtlessly make teams reluctant to acquire him.

A former undrafted free agent, Thompkins spent the past two seasons operating as Tampa Bay’s kick and punt returner. He totaled 1,082 return yards during that span, adding 115 yards and one touchdown on offense. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles previously left the door open to a new contract for Thompkins, but it is unclear if the club would truly consider that.

Latest On WR Deven Thompkins

June 21st, 2024 at 1:54pm CST by Adam La Rose

Deven Thompkins was waived with an injury designation last month, and a subsequent move from the Buccaneers (waiving him via an injury settlement) has made him a free agent. The wideout/returner’s time in Tampa Bay came to an end amidst domestic abuse allegations, and further developments on that front have taken place.

Thompkins’ estranged wife, Maria Castilhos, alleged in a pair of TikTok videos that he caused injuries to her face and arm. She has also made claims of physical abuse dating back to February 14, 2023. The Buccaneers’ decision to cut ties with Thompkins came less than one week before the allegations went public.

In response, the 24-year-old has now taken legal action. Thompkins filed a complaint in Lee County alleging Castilhos’ statements in the videos were malicious and defamatory, as detailed by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. The complaint seeks a jury trial and damages in excess of $50K.

“We believe the detailed and concerning allegations in this complaint speak for themselves and speak volumes,” a statement from Thompkins’ attorney Brett Gallaway reads. “While we respect and support all survivors of domestic violence to speak out, the facts in this matter represent a disturbing blackmail scheme wherein Ms. Castilhos threatened Deven with fabricated allegations of domestic violence unless he met her financial demands for additional alimony in a pending and contentious divorce proceeding.”

Thompkins filed for divorce on February 27 of this year, per court records, and that process is ongoing. This filing alleges that Castilhos’ injuries were “inauthentic and had been altered using photo editing software” as part of the wider denial of domestic abuse.

A former undrafted free agent, Thompkins spent the past two seasons operating as Tampa Bay’s kick and punt returner. He totaled 1,082 return yards during that span, adding 115 yards and one touchdown on offense. The Utah State product was reported to have a Grade 1 strain hamstring strain at the time of his release, and he should be fully healed by this point. He is free to sign with an NFL team at any time.

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/10/24

June 10th, 2024 at 7:42pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Detroit Lions

  • Waived: LB Steele Chambers

New York Giants

Seattle Seahawks

  • Waived/injured: NT Buddha Jones

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Brightwell was waived/injured by the Giants in May but ultimately reverted to IR. The former sixth-round pick struggled to carve out a role behind Saquon Barkley in New York. Brightwell’s tenure with the Giants will officially end with the RB having collected 256 yards from scrimmage.

Thompkins suffered a hamstring injury in late May that ultimately led to him getting waived/injured. As ESPN’s Jenna Laine notes, it’s about a two-week recovery timeline for the Grade 1 strain, meaning the wideout should be on the brink of full health.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times passed along a troubling wrinkle to the situation last week, noting that Thompkins’ release quickly followed public accusations of spousal abuse from his estranged wife. The woman, Maria Castilhos, posted pictures of injuries that she claims were sustained in February of 2023.

“First and foremost, Deven categorically denies the allegations levied against him by his estranged wife, Maria Castilhos,” attorney Brett Gallaway said in the statement. “Unfortunately, Deven and Maria have been going through a contentious divorce proceeding and child custody battle, and it appears that she thought it would help her case to release these false and defamatory videos.

“… We expect he will be fully exonerated after a review of the facts, background, and clear ulterior motive behind the release of these videos and fabricated assault allegations.”

Thompkins served as Tampa Bay’s primary returner in 2023, finishing with 16 kickoff returns (for 327 yards) and 25 punts (for 234 yards). The former UDFA had a limited role on offense, hauling in 17 catches for 83 yards and one touchdown. As Stroud notes, coach Todd Bowles said the “door is open” to Thompkins returning to the Buccaneers once he’s healthy, although the team has already replaced him on the roster with Cody Thompson.

Buccaneers Waive/Injured WR Deven Thompkins

May 30th, 2024 at 7:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Buccaneers will have a new primary returner in 2024. The team has waived Deven Thompkins with an injury designation, according to ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

Thompkins joined Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent out of Utah State in 2022. After playing sparingly on offense as a rookie, the wideout got into close to one fourth of his team’s offensive snaps in 2023. He ultimately finished the campaign with 17 catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.

The 24-year-old really showed out on special teams this past season. He finished the year with 16 kick returns for 327 yards (20.4 yards per return) and 25 punt returns for 234 yards (9.4 yards per return). He was especially active in the postseason, returning another three punts and one kickoff in two games.

As Greg Auman of FOX Sports points out, the NFL’s new kickoff rules should result in more returns and more contact. This means the league may be shifting away from the “smaller, shifty receivers” as their primary kick and punt returners. Thompkins is listed at 5-foot-8 and 155 pounds; Auman suggests Tampa Bay’s new options could be fourth-round RB Bucky Irving (5-foot-9, 192 pounds) and third-round WR Jalen McMillan (6-foot-1, 197 pounds).

On offense, Thompkins’ exit shouldn’t shake up the depth chart. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will continue to soak up the majority of the targets, with McMillan and Trey Palmer sliding in behind that duo. The Buccaneers are also rostering a long list of former UDFAs (including Rakim Jarrett) and current UDFAs (including Tanner Knue, Latreal Jones, and Kameron Johnson).

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/5/24

March 5th, 2024 at 8:35pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Indianapolis Colts

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Colts are keeping Jack Anderson around, with Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston passing along that the lineman has inked a one-year extension with the organization. Anderson was waived by the Giants at the end of the 2023 preseason and caught on with Indy. He spent the majority of the season on the practice squad, getting into a single game for the Colts. In total, the 25-year-old has appeared in 15 career games (three starts).

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/23/22

December 23rd, 2022 at 5:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves heading into the NFL’s largest slate of Saturday games of the season:

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Kansas City Chiefs

Minnesota Vikings

  • Promoted from practice squad: G Kyle Hinton

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/22

December 17th, 2022 at 5:41pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Dallas Cowboys

  • Promoted: C Brock Hoffman

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/22

December 10th, 2022 at 7:41pm CST by Adam La Rose

Here are the minor moves around the league in advance of the Week 14 slate of games:

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Load More Posts