Will We See Michael Thomas Again In A Saints Uniform?

The NFL is known for its unpredictable nature, largely due to how quickly things may change. That statement is especially applicable to wide receiver Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints. One play altered the course of Thomas’ career, capping a three-season streak of over 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards that included a record-breaking 2019 in which he broke the single-season catch record.

On a late fourth quarter red zone run, in a game that was in the bag for New Orleans, Thomas was a perimeter blocker. Former Saints running back Latavius Murray stumbled to a fall on the first and 9 carry, landing on the back of Thomas’ left leg.

The four-yard rush would set forth what has now been a tumultuous four-year battle through injury, rehab, recovery and injury again. Now, late in the 2023 NFL season, it looks unlikely that Thomas will finish the year on the field. A result that could very well set up the end between the record-breaking wideout and the Saints.

THOMAS RETURNING FROM INJURED RESERVE?

Saints head coach Dennis Allen was clear during his Tuesday press conference. He does not expect any players on injured reserve to return to practice this week.

New Orleans currently has eight players on injured reserve and one, defensive end Payton Turner, whose practice window is already open. Of the eight the list, three (running back Eno Benjamin, offensive lineman Trai Turner and linebacker Andrew Dowell) are not eligible to return.

That leaves cornerback Marshon Lattimore, safety Marcus Maye, defensive lineman Malcolm Roach, rookie offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri and Thomas as those that can come back. With none of those players returning for Week 17, a game that could keep the Saints’ playoff hopes alive, it is hard to imagine any of those coming back for a Week 18 matchup where perhaps even a win may not end with a postseason appearance.

Thomas ending the season on injured reserve would make it the fourth season in a row in which that is the case. One glowing caveat is that while he finished the season on the list in 2020, he returned for the Saints’ two playoff games against the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Finishing that season against Tampa was a terrible bit of symmetry, as they were the team Thomas’s first ankle injury occurred against. Next came a season that was completely missed in 2021 and a brief three-game season in 2022. both brought on by his body “rejecting the hardware” that was utilized in the two surgeries, as Thomas and those around him put it.

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