Memphis safety La'Andre Thomas not on Tigers' roster for undisclosed reasons

Memphis junior defensive back La'Andre Thomas is currently not with the team, head coach Ryan Silverfield said Thursday on Sports56

Thomas wasn't on the depth chart for the Tigers' season opener against Arkansas State and isn't on the roster ahead of their game at SMU Saturday. He started all 14 games last season at safety and was expected to be a starter this season.

Silverfield didn't give a reason for Thomas' absence or if he expects him to return but said the two had conversations before the season began.

"Anybody who's not with us I'm not going to comment," Silverfield said on "Middays with Greg & Eli" . "A lot of people have certain things going on in their personal life and like I've always told these young men, unless you want to comment about it, it's not my duty to put what's going on in their personal lives out there."

Thomas had 63 tackles last season, fourth on the team. It was a strong comeback effort after he only played four games in 2018 due to a shoulder injury.

Sylvonta Oliver and Sanchez Blake started the season opener at safety and both, along with Quindell Johnson, are listed on this week's depth chart.

So far, the Tigers have seen three players opt out this season in Kenneth Gainwell, Coye Fairman and Tim Hart. Senior receiver John "Pop" Williams remains on a personal leave of absence and is also not on the roster.

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