Thomas was one of four Patriots sent home as a result of being late for a morning meeting on a snowy Wednesday morning prior to the Patriots' Week 14 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The next day, Thomas told the press that he called the team saying that he was stuck in traffic but was still sent home upon arriving. He also continued to question the perceived motivational aspect of the decision, saying "Motivation is for kindergartners. I'm not a kindergartner." He was again deactivated for the game against the Panthers, but started the Patriots' Week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills.