When Deven Thompkins was launched a month in the past by the Bucs, it appeared like an odd transfer on the time. Thompkins had a minor hamstring damage on the time, nevertheless it was one that may’ve healed up by coaching camp, so outright letting him go didn’t make a lot sense.
Then a TikTok video by Thompkins’ estranged spouse, Maria Castilhos, went public that accused Thompkins of abuse with bodily damage and it could have defined why the Bucs have been so fast to let him go. Right here is the video.
Thompkins has denied these allegations and has now filed a lawsuit towards Castilhos claiming these allegations over him are false and he’s looking for damages in extra of $50,000. You may take a look at the courtroom paperwork, which have been filed in Lee County, Florida, for the proceedings.
Bucs WR-KR-PR Deven Thompkins – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
An announcement was additionally made by Deven Thompkins’ lawyer, Brett Gallaway.
“We consider the detailed and regarding allegations on this criticism communicate for themselves and communicate volumes. Whereas we respect and help all survivors of home violence to talk out, the information on this matter symbolize a disturbing blackmail scheme whereby Ms. Castilhos threatened Deven with fabricated allegations of home violence except he met her monetary calls for for extra alimony in a pending and contentious divorce continuing. We look ahead to litigating this case and bringing to gentle the really fictitious nature of those claims so Deven can return to the soccer discipline.”
Deven Thompkins Bucs’ Profession Was Simply Common
Deven Thompkins performed two seasons for the Bucs as a large receiver and kick returner after being an undrafted free agent out of Utah State. As a rookie he appeared in 5 video games making 5 catches for 32 yards and dashing twice for 26 yards. He did carve out a task because the Bucs’ major kick and punt returner, averaging 21.9 yards per return on kickoffs and 10 yards per punt returns.
Bucs WR-KR-PR Deven Thompkins – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR
The next season Deven Thompkins continued his position as the first returner and his position elevated somewhat bit extra within the offense. He performed a full 17 video games final season, recording 17 catches for 83 yards and his first profession NFL landing whereas additionally being utilized in a number of end-around run performs, dashing eight instances for 56 yards whole.
His kick and punt returns remained round the same common with 20.4 yards per return on kickoffs and a 9.4 common yards per return on punts.
A crowded room has come about with the Bucs’ vast receiver as of late. Thompkins and fellow undrafted free agent Kaylon Geiger have been principally observe squad gamers for the Bucs when coming into the league two seasons in the past. Then final yr the Bucs went with one other undrafted free agent in Rakim Jarrett that made the observe squad whereas sixth-round decide Trey Palmer was a mainstay on the roster.
This offseason, the Bucs drafted Jalen McMillan within the third spherical. Not lengthy after parting methods with Thompkins, they signed Cody Thompson and Baker Mayfield’s former Oklahoma teammate, Sterling Shepard.
These two signings seemingly signify that the potential of Thompkins returning to the Bucs will not be within the playing cards, however by no means say by no means. The Bucs have plenty of competitors developing at receiver with solely a spot or two out there on the depth chart.
