Lynn: Chargers won't pursue Thomas following James injury

The Los Angeles Chargers aren't considering safety Earl Thomas as a possible replacement for injured star Derwin James, head coach Anthony Lynn told reporters Monday, according to Emmanuel Morgan of the Los Angeles Times.

The Baltimore Ravens released Thomas on Aug. 23 after he fought teammate Chuck Clark during practice.

"Since you guys keep telling me how stacked we are in the secondary, why the hell would we be looking anywhere else?" Lynn said.

James is reportedly expected to miss significant time with a meniscus issue. The Chargers said James suffered a right knee injury in practice and no timetable for his return has been determined.

Thomas has been a defensive playmaker throughout his career, though he was reportedly an unpopular figure in the Ravens' locker room. Baltimore moved on from him one season after giving him a four-year, $55-million contract in free agency.

Thomas posted 49 tackles, two interceptions, two sacks, and four pass breakups in 15 games last season and was named to his seventh Pro Bowl. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, where he was a celebrated member of the Legion of Boom.

The Chargers could slide Rayshawn Jenkins or Desmond King over to strong safety until James returns, but that would leave them thin at free safety, which is where Thomas has made his living.

A healthy James would have given Los Angeles, which has Casey Hayward and Chris Harris Jr. at cornerback, an elite secondary on paper. Injuries limited James to five appearances in 2019.