New Orleans Saints' Michael Thomas expected to be ready for training camp, coach Dennis Allen says; Jameis Winston already on field

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The New Orleans Saints have not yet had Michael Thomas participate in their workouts. Dennis Allen said that he is expected to be back from his ankle injury in time for training camp.

Both offensive pillars are working their way back from major injuries, as quarterback Jameis Winston is already back on the practice field seven months after he tore his knee.

Thomas missed the entire 2021 season with an ankle injury after he delayed his first surgery to repair multiple ligaments until June, then suffered a setback in November that required a follow-up procedure. The ankle injury he sustained in Week 1 of the 2020 season has kept him out of the lineup for the last nine games of the season.

I think he is doing well in his rehabilitation. He is not ready yet. He is getting himself better while he is here. Allen said they were anxious to get him out here. We feel good about where he is.

Allen said that Thomas will be ready for training camp.

Allen said that if he had a crystal ball, he would probably be making more money and doing something different. That is what we are pushing for.

There was a lack of communication between the player and the team last spring, and then there was tension between the two sides after he waited until June to have surgery.

Early last season, the tension appeared to have been alleviated. Allen said that getting Thomas back along with Chris Olave is like adding two first-round draft choices to the position.

Thomas invited the other former Ohio State star to stay with him and train with him for a couple weeks in their shared home base of Southern California after the Saints drafted him.

The Saints signed a free-agent receiver after the draft in order to improve their passing offense.

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Allen cautioned that we have still got a ways to go to get him ready, but he said that he thought he looked good. We like where he is and we like the progress he is making. Hopefully that will continue.

Since the practices are non-padded, non-contact, it is hard to assess how limited he is. Allen said that the Saints will be smart with the timetable.

With the way that he works and how hard he works, it doesn't surprise me. We will continue to push to get him better, but try to be smart about it.