Joe Lewis Thomas Jr. (born May 6, 1991) is an American football linebacker who is a free agent.

He played college football at South Carolina State, and was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

Thomas attended Blackville-Hilda High School, where he practiced football, basketball, track and soccer.

As a senior, he rushed for 1,976 yards and 31 touchdowns, while being named Division 1A South Carolina Player of the Year.

As a redshirt freshman, he played in 11 out of 12 games, contributing mainly on special teams, while posting 17 tackles (2 for loss), one pass defensed and a fumble recovery.

Against North Carolina Central University, he had 39 tackles (5 for loss), one sack, one pass defensed and a forced fumble.

He helped the school earn its 15th MEAC Championship, winning 17-3 against Norfolk State University, where he made 10 tackles (4 for a loss), and one sack.

He also earned Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and All-conference honors.

Thomas was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Green Bay Packers after the 2014 NFL draft on May 12.

On November 3, he was signed to the Packers' practice squad,[4] where he spent the rest of his rookie season.

[6] On September 21, 2015, Thomas was signed to the Packers' active roster off the Cowboys' practice squad, to provide depth after Jake Ryan was injured.

He made his first start as a Cowboy in place of an injured Vander Esch in the fourteenth game against the Los Angeles Rams, tallying 2 tackles before leaving with a knee injury.

[13] He stepped in when starter Leighton Vander Esch suffered an injury in the first quarter of the season opener against Los Angeles Rams.

He started the next 4 games at middle linebacker, after Vander Esch was placed on the injured reserve list.

[20] He appeared in 15 games with 9 starts at outside linebacker, after Roquan Smith was traded and other players were injured.