SANTA CLARA Ambry Thomas had one of his most challenging performances in the 49ers’ 24-21 divisional playoff round win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday, but the cornerback is thankful to have gone through the experience.
The Michigan product allowed catches on all five of his targets for 74 yards, missed two tackles, and committed two very costly penalties, both on third down. But after being sidelined with a hand injury that required surgery earlier this month, Thomas knows the game experience will help him in the NFC Championship Game against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
“Ain’t nothing like live reps, I feel like,” Thomas said Wednesday. “You grow with the live reps. That’s why I’m thankful for all that happened to me, because this week, I know what it is.”
Thomas was away from the game after injuring his hand in San Francisco’s New Year’s Eve win over the Washington Commanders. The cornerback did not see any game action until 20 days later, in the 49ers’ NFL playoff debut.
“I felt like I had to get back in the groove of things,” Thomas said. “Me being out that time span and not practicing, those reps are important during this time. This week I’m getting them back and getting back into the rhythm of things.”
In Sunday’s NFC title game, the 49ers will count on Thomas to help stop the Detroit Lions’ high-flying pass game led by quarterback Jared Goff. There cannot be a repeat performance by the third-round pick, who accounted for 54 of San Francisco’s 83 total penalties.
Leave a Reply