National Football League

Jets re-sign OLB Bryan Thomas to 1-year deal

Published Mar. 13, 2012 7:02 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Jets have re-signed outside linebacker Bryan Thomas, who missed most of last season with a torn left Achilles tendon, to a one-year contract.

Thomas, 32, will enter his 11th season with the Jets as their longest-tenured player after being the team's first-round pick out of Alabama-Birmingham in 2002. He led Rex Ryan's defense with six sacks in 2010, but was placed on injured reserve last October after getting hurt at Baltimore in Week 4.

Thomas, a solid but never flashy player during his career, became a free agent Tuesday and it was uncertain if the Jets would re-sign him.

It was the first move New York made once free agency began after re-signing nose tackle Sione Pouha on Monday and giving quarterback Mark Sanchez a contract extension Friday.