Saints WR Michael Thomas on Field for OTAs

Saints News Network Senior Writer John Hendrix reports a familiar face at New Orleans Saints OTAs on Tuesday afternoon.

According to John Hendrix of the Saints News Network, New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas was a participant at the team’s OTA workout on Tuesday afternoon. 

This is huge news on an otherwise quiet news period for NFL teams. Thomas has missed 40 of the team’s last 50 games over the last three seasons. Having their star wide receiver back in action would make this a far more explosive offense with the presence of RB Alvin Kamara, WR Chris Olave, and new additions of RB Jamaal Williams, TE Foster Moreau, and QB Derek Carr. 

Thomas, 30, was a second-round choice by the Saints out of Ohio State in the 2016 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he became just the second player in franchise history to have over 1,000 yards as a rookie with 1,137 yards on a team-high 92 receptions. Thomas would go on to set NFL records for productivity over his first four years, averaging 1,378 yards and nearly 118 catches per season. 

In 2019, Thomas led the league with a franchise-record 1,725 receiving yards on an NFL-record 149 receptions. He'd suffer a serious foot injury in the 2020 season opener that sidelined him for nine games and limited his effectiveness when he did play. Surgery on the foot kept him out of the entire 2021 campaign. 

Thomas returned last season and was extremely productive early. Over the first three games of 2022 he had 16 receptions for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, Thomas suffered an injury to his other foot that knocked him out for the rest of the year.

Sep 11, 2022; New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (13) celebrates after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Saints coach Dennis Allen has said that the team would 'take it easy' with Thomas, but expected him to be a full-go by training camp. His appearance at OTAs is certainly a welcome sight to fans and teammates. 

The NFL's most precise route runner and an extremely physical player, Thomas adds a special dimension to the New Orleans offense. His ability to set up a rapport with Derek Carr through mini-camp and training camp will be one of the big storylines surrounding the Saints this summer.