in college and believed that that experience would allow him to fit in anywhere on the defensive line. He commented saying that he would play whatever position the coaching staff wanted him to play commenting "Wherever I can get in, to fit, to make us win, I'll play it. I enjoy playing. I'm gonna give my effort, 100 percent." In his first preseason, he recorded six tackles in four preseason games and was considered "on the bubble" for a roster spot. Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said that Thornton was "Raw" and that "This is a whole different system for him. Everything's new. But, boy, he's got a lot of fast twitch in his body for a big man." He played more snaps then anyone on the defensive line with eighty during the preseason. On August 30, 2014, Thornton was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a hamstring injury in the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. On September 5, 2015, Thornton was waived by the Packers. New England Patriots The New England Patriots claimed Thornton off waivers on September 6, 2015. He was waived on September 17, 2015, but was re-signed on October 1, 2015. On October 22, 2015, Thornton was released by the Patriots. Detroit Lions On October 25, 2015, Thornton was claimed off waivers by the Detroit Lions. During the 2016 season, Thornton played in 13 games for the Lions, starting 6 and recording 18 tackles and a sack. Thornton took over as a starting defensive tackle for the Lions midseason due to struggles from Tyrunn Walker, but eventually lost his starting job to rookie A'Shawn Robinson and became a rotational defensive tackle. On March 7, 2017, Thornton signed a two-year contract extension with the Lions. On June 20, 2017, Thornton was suspended the first six games of the 2017 season for violating the league's policy on substances of abuse. He was reinstated from suspension on October 16, 2017. On November 21, 2017, Thornton was released by the Lions. New York Giants On November 29, 2017, Thornton signed with the New York Giants. He was released on December 12, 2017. Thornton was suspended 10 weeks by the NFL on December 23, 2017, which was served over the final two weeks of the 2017 season and the first eight weeks of the 2018 season. He was reinstated from suspension on October 30, 2018. St. Louis BattleHawks