WR Deven Thompkins Will Not Face NFL Discipline
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
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
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
Today’s minor moves:
Detroit Lions
- Waived: LB Steele Chambers
New York Giants
- Placed on reserve/retired list: TE Darren Waller (story)
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: RB Gary Brightwell
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived/injured: NT Buddha Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Waived from IR with injury settlement: WR Deven Thompkins
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
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
Today’s minor moves:
Indianapolis Colts
- Extended: C Jack Anderson
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: DT Isaiah Mack
Minnesota Vikings
- Re-signed: TE Nick Muse
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed: WR Deven Thompkins, OL Brandon Walton
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
Today’s minor moves heading into the NFL’s largest slate of Saturday games of the season:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: DT Isaiah Mack
Buffalo Bills
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Cole Beasley, DE Kingsley Jonathan
Chicago Bears
- Activated from IR: RB Khalil Herbert (story)
- Signed to active roster: CB Breon Borders
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Chase Allen, WR Nsimba Webster
- Placed on IR: CB Jaylon Johnson, CB Kindle Vildor
Cincinnati Bengals
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Allan George
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Mackensie Alexander, C Brock Hoffman
Detroit Lions
- Promoted from practice squad: S Brady Breeze, TE Garrett Griffin
Kansas City Chiefs
- Activated from IR: TE Blake Bell
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Danny Shelton
- Placed on IR: TE Jody Fortson
Minnesota Vikings
- Promoted from practice squad: G Kyle Hinton
New England Patriots
- Signed to active roster: LS Tucker Addington
- Promoted from practice squad: K Tristan Vizcaino, TE Scotty Washington
- Placed on IR: LS Joe Cardona
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: WR Kirk Merritt
- Promoted from practice squad: G Josh Andrews, WR Keith Kirkwood
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed to active roster: LB Christian Elliss
- Promoted from practice squad: P Brett Kern
- Placed on IR: TE Tyree Jackson
San Francisco 49ers
- Promoted from practice squad: DL Michael Dwumfour, WR Willie Snead
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Godwin Igwebuike, RB Wayne Gallman
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Signed to active roster: WR Deven Thompkins
- Placed on IR: LB Genard Avery
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Andre Smith, Jonathan Ward
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/22
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: G Will Hernandez
- Promoted: CB Nate Hairston, DL Manny Jones
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on IR: LB Brandon Smith
Chicago Bears
- Promoted: TE Jake Tonges, WR Nsimba Webster
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted: C Brock Hoffman
Denver Broncos
- Promoted: RB Devine Ozigbo, QB Jarrett Guarantano
Detroit Lions
- Activated from IR: RB Craig Reynolds
- Promoted: LB Jarrad Davis, QB Joshua Dobbs
- Waived: WR Tom Kennedy
Los Angeles Chargers
- Activated off IR: TE Donald Parham
- Promoted: DL Christopher Hinton, S Raheem Layne
- Waived: WR Jason Moore
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed to active roster: RB Malcolm Brown
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted: WR Braylon Sanders
New Orleans Saints
- Promoted: WR Kirk Merritt
- Waived: Nephi Sewell
New York Giants
- Activated from IR: OL Ben Bredeson
- Placed on IR: OL Joshua Ezeudu
- Promoted: LB Landon Collins, QB Davis Webb
New York Jets
- Signed to active roster: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Promoted: S Will Parks, DL Tanzel Smart
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted: LB Christian Elliss, P Brett Kern
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted: LB J.J. Russell, WR Deven Thompkins
Washington Commanders
- Promoted: G Wes Martin
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/22
Here are the minor moves around the league in advance of the Week 14 slate of games:
Atlanta Falcons
- Signed off Titans’ practice squad: QB Logan Woodside
Baltimore Ravens
- Elevated: QB Anthony Brown, S Ar’Darius Washington
Buffalo Bills
- Elevated: WR John Brown
Carolina Panthers
- Activated from NFI list: DL Henry Anderson
- Waived: CB Tae Hayes
Cleveland Browns
- Elevated: S Mike Brown, LB Tae Davis
Dallas Cowboys
- Elevated: T Aviante Collins
- Placed on IR: CB Anthony Brown (story)
Denver Broncos
- Signed to active roster: T Quinn Bailey
- Elevated: G Netane Muti, LB Harvey Langi
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: OL Ross Pierschbacher
- Elevated: LB Jarrad Davis, CB Jarren Williams
- Placed on IR: CB Chase Lucas
Houston Texans
- Elevated: WR Jalen Camp, QB Jeff Driskel
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Activated from IR: OLB K’Lavon Chaisson
- Elevated: LB Ty Summers
Kansas City Chiefs
- Elevated: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed to active roster: C Hroniss Grasu
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed to active roster: CB Kemon Hall
- Elevated: DL Christopher Hinton, S Raheem Layne
- Placed on IR: TE Richard Rodgers
Miami Dolphins
- Elevated: WR Freddie Swain
Minnesota Vikings
- Elevated: S Myles Dorn, CB Tay Gowan
New York Giants
- Elevated: DT Ryder Anderson, CB Zyon Gilbert
New York Jets
- Elevated: LB Marcell Harris
Philadelphia Eagles
- Elevated: LB Christian Elliss
San Francisco 49ers
- Elevated: RB Tevin Coleman, S Dontae Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Activated from PUP list: LB Jon Rhattigan
- Elevated: RB Godwin Igwebuike, WR Laquon Treadwell
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Activated from IR: LB K.J. Britt
- Elevated: WR Deven Thompkins, S Nolan Turner
Tennessee Titans
- Signed to active roster: WR Chris Conley, LB Jack Gibbens, CB Greg Mabin
- Activated from IR: WR Racey McMath, CB Josh Thompson
- Elevated: RB Julius Chestnut, CB Davontae Harris
- Placed on IR: LB David Long
- Released: DL Larrell Murchison, OL Jordan Roos
Minor NFL Transactions: 10/8/22
Here are the roster moves for today, leading into gameday tomorrow. Reminder that gameday elevations will revert to the practice squad after this weekend’s games:
Arizona Cardinals
- Activated from IR: CB Antonio Hamilton
- Signed to active roster: WR Andre Baccellia
- Promoted from practice squad: K Matt Ammendola, S Chris Banjo
- Placed on IR: LB Nick Vigil
Atlanta Falcons
- Promoted from practice squad: TE MyCole Pruitt
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed to active roster: CB Daryl Worley
- Promoted from practice squad: OLB Brandon Copeland
Buffalo Bills
- Placed on IR: WR Jamison Crowder
- Signed to active roster: WR Isaiah Hodgins, CB Ja’Marcus Ingram
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Tanner Gentry, LB Joe Giles-Harris
- Waived: DT Brandin Bryant
Carolina Panthers
- Promoted from practice squad: S Marquise Blair, WR Derek Wright
Cincinnati Bengals
- Activated from IR: CB Cam Taylor-Britt
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Tyler Shelvin
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Dakota Allen, WR Chester Rogers
Dallas Cowboys
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Carlos Watkins, LS Matt Overton
Detroit Lions
- Signed to active roster: WR Maurice Alexander, CB AJ Parker
- Promoted from practice squad: K Michael Badgley, CB Saivion Smith
- Placed on IR: WR Quintez Cephus
Houston Texans
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jordan Akins, TE Mason Schreck
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Corey Peters
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Michael Bandy, K Taylor Bertolet
Los Angeles Rams
- Placed on IR: S Jordan Fuller, OL Coleman Shelton
- Signed to active roster: RB Malcolm Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: TE Jacob Harris, C Matt Skura
Miami Dolphins
- Promoted from practice squad: T Brandon Shell
- Activated from IR: S Clayton Fejedelem
- Placed on IR: TE Cethan Carter
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed to active roster: S Myles Dorn
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Dan Chisena, TE Nick Muse
- Placed on IR: TE Ben Ellefson
New England Patriots
- Activated from IR: WR Tyquan Thornton
- Promoted from practice squad: QB Garrett Gilbert, TE Matt Sokol
New Orleans Saints
- Signed to active roster: CB Bryce Thompson
- Promoted from practice squad: S Chris Harris, WR Keith Kirkwood
- Placed on IR: CB P.J. Williams
- Waived: RB Tony Jones Jr.
New York Giants
- Signed to active roster: S Tony Jefferson
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Marcus Johnson, QB Davis Webb
New York Jets
- Activated from IR: T Duane Brown
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Hamsah Nasirildeen
- Placed on IR: OL Max Mitchell
Philadelphia Eagles
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Andre Chachere, K Cameron Dicker
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Signed to active roster: OLB Ryan Anderson
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Josh Jackson, S Elijah Riley
- Waived: DE David Anenih
San Francisco 49ers
- Activated from IR: S Jimmie Ward
- Signed to active roster: LB Akeem Spence
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Malik Turner, RB Tevin Coleman
- Placed on IR: OL Colton McKivitz
Seattle Seahawks
- Promoted from practice squad: LB Cullen Gillaspia, LB Christian Jones
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Kaylon Geiger, WR Deven Thompkins
Washington Commanders
- Activated from IR: OL Tyler Larsen
- Placed on IR: LB Milo Eifler