Surprisingly, New England Patriots linebacker made himself available to the media on Wednesday morning and obviously was besieged with questions about being a stunning healthy scratch for last Sunday’s win over Tennessee. Thomas said he was informed by linebackers coach Matt Patricia the morning of the game when he arrived at the stadium, presumably. According to Thomas, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has not talked to him about the decision either then or since.

“I found out when you found out,” he said to the media, who are normally handed the inactive list in the press box an hour before the game. “It was a shock. It is what it is. You know, you can’t explain it.”

Is he expecting to play on Sunday?

“Ask Bill,” Thomas said. “I’ll be ready.”

Then he was asked if he was happy in New England. He paused and then said, “I’m fine.”

Thomas said it was strange not playing, watching the game. Reportedly, he was not at Gillette during the game.

“It was different,” he said. “We’re moving on to Tampa…Last Sunday’s done. Let’s move on to Tampa. These guys had a great game, let’s not overshadow it with what happened to one person. I don’t want to make this seem about me because it’s not about me. Bill makes the decisions. I’m going to live with it. Whether you like it or not, that’s what it is. I’m a professional. I come here, do my job, then I go home.”

As for the communication, Thomas said, “This locker room is open to you like it is everybody else. Like I said, if somebody has an issue with me, they’ll come talk to me.”

– TOM KING