Michael Thomas' Ankle Injury Not '100 Percent Healthy' Entering Saints Minicamp

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is not 100% healthy at the moment as he looks to return from an ankle injury that cost him the entire 2021,

According to Dennis Allen, Thomas isdoubtful to participate in the team's mandatory mini camp.

"I’m good with where Mike Thomas is. I would much rather him be 100 percent healthy and out here and all those kinds of things, but that’s not where we’re at right now. He is busting his tail to get himself ready to go, and I feel like he’s making significant progress. I think mentally he’s in a great place and, again, we’re just going to let that process play out and get him healthy. And look, we have a long time to go before we play a game. ... I’m not looking for a huge jump, I just want to see him keep getting a little better every day."

He only played seven games in 2020 because of an ankle injury. After undergoing surgery on his ankle, he missed the rest of the year.

During a May 6 appearance on the Rich Eisen Show, Allen gave hope that Thomas would come back.

Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk reported that Allen stated that their hope was that Thomas would make a full recovery.

Mike has done well in the rehabilitation process. There are still a few hurdles that we have to climb, with any of our guys trying to get back from injury.

The question is whether Thomas could return to the form he showed in the first four years of his career.

Allen hopes so. All of our goals are about that. I was unable to answer that question, but that's what we anticipate and hope for.

The Associated Press offensive player of the year went to Thomas, who had 149 catches and 1,725 yards. He's an important part of the Saints' offense, and hopefully he'll be able to play in the first game of the season.

Outside Thomas, the Saints reloaded at wideout this year with the addition of Chris Olave in the first round of the draft and the signing of Jarvis Landry in free agency.

When Thomas is healthy, he will be the Saints' top receiver as they look to rebound from a disappointing season.