New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas could miss NFL games after ankle surgery, source confirms
METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints broad receiver Michael Thomas underwent ankle surgical procedure in June and could overlook time at the get started of the period as a result, a supply advised ESPN, confirming numerous stories.
Thomas, 28, was plagued by the ankle personal injury during previous period, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter experienced formerly claimed that he was envisioned to go through surgical procedure to maintenance the torn deltoid and other hurt ligaments in his ankle.
It is unclear why Thomas experienced surgical procedure so late in the offseason, but the aim is a full restoration.
Thomas skipped nine video games in excess of two stints on hurt reserve previous period right after at first injuring the ankle in 7 days 1. He completed with 40 catches for 438 yards in the standard period and failed to catch his initially landing pass until eventually the playoffs.
Not owning Thomas available would raise the diploma of issues for Saints quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill as they struggle to swap the retired Drew Brees. The Saints have been previously slender on playmakers right after parting techniques with No. two broad receiver Emmanuel Sanders and tight ends Jared Prepare dinner and Josh Hill this offseason.
The Saints not long ago produced additional than $ten million in cap house through deal restructures and extensions and could appear to incorporate a veteran broad receiver as they strategy the get started of instruction camp future 7 days. They will also be counting greatly on fourth-yr receiver Tre’Quan Smith, 2nd-yr receiver Marquez Callaway, third-yr receiver Deonte Harris and 2nd-yr tight conclusion Adam Trautman, amid some others.
New Orleans also lost standout defensive tackle David Onyemata to a six-video game suspension previous 7 days for violating the NFL’s coverage on efficiency-boosting substances. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore could also encounter league self-control right after currently being arrested on a stolen gun demand before this offseason.
Mixed with some of their offseason roster moves, the Saints will have at least nine new starters in 7 days 1 if Thomas is just not ready to perform in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers. The Saints could also appear to incorporate veteran depth at cornerback and defensive tackle in the coming weeks.
Thomas has been a go-to person for Brees and Saints backups Teddy Bridgewater and Hill during his stellar 5-yr job. In spite of the ankle personal injury, he experienced two video games with nine catches and additional than one hundred receiving yards in the course of Hill’s four-video game stint as the starter previous yr while Brees was working with injuries.
Thomas was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2019, when he set a league history with 149 receptions. His 510 job receptions are the most by a player in the initially 5 seasons of his job.
