Dan Orlovsky states that Jameis Winston must have Michael Thomas available in order to succeed as Saints' QB. (1:03).
A source confirmed that Michael Thomas joined the New Orleans Saints in Baltimore to play their preseason opener. This is the latest indication that tensions between the team's star receiver and Thomas.
NOLA.com first reported that Thomas would be playing for Saturday's game, as he continues his recovery from the June ankle surgery. Yahoo! Yahoo!
Thomas delayed his ankle surgery for June after tensions had been building this summer. Both sides had agreed to wait until the offseason to determine if Thomas' injury would improve without surgery. However, sources claim that there was little communication between them for a long time before Thomas attended the mandatory minicamp in June.
Payton stated at the beginning of training camp two week ago that he was disappointed that the surgery wasn't done sooner.
"Obviously, we would have liked that to happen sooner than later. It should have," Payton stated at the time.
Thomas vented his frustration via social media earlier in the week, following multiple reports that cited sources suggesting Thomas was responsible for the delay.
"They tried to ruin your reputation. Thomas shared the following tweet: "They tried to damage your reputation."
Thomas also "liked” multiple posts suggesting that the Saints encouraged Thomas to overcome his injury without surgery last year -- and now are blaming him.
Thomas has not made public comments about his reasons for delaying the surgery.
Thomas missed nine games last season after injuring his knee in Week 1. After sustaining the injury in the final minutes of Week 1, Thomas returned to play in Week 9. He then went to Weeks 15-17 on the injured reserve to rest up and return to the playoffs.
He had 40 catches for 438 yard in seven regular-season matches, but didn't get his first touchdown until the playoffs. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Thomas, along with other ligaments, had needed surgery after the season.
Thomas' return has not been announced by the Saints. However, sources suggest that Thomas could be back in the early part of the season. He is currently on the physical unable to perform and has not yet practiced.
Thomas was the NFL's Offensive player of the year for 2019, having set the league record for catching 149 passes. He was also involved in some discord last season when he was suspended one game for punching C.J. Practice with Gardner-Johnson.
These incidents have led to speculation about the Saints trying to trade their star receiver. However, this is not the current team's approach. This would be less than ideal for New Orleans considering the current roster and salary-cap situation.
Following Drew Brees' retirement as quarterback, an offseason salary cap purge, injuries and kicker Wil Luz, and a possible suspension for David Onyemata, the Saints will likely field at least 11 new starters for Week 1.
After the departure of No. 2, Thomas was a key contributor to the Saints' success on the field. This offseason, Emmanuel Sanders was the No. 2 receiver and Jared Cook and Josh Hill were the veteran tight ends.
Their leading pass catchers, other than running back Alvin Kamara, are fourth-year receiver Tre'QuanSmith and Marquez Callaway, a second-year undrafted receiver, and tight end Adam Trautman, who appear to be their top two receivers.
Thomas, 28, has a contract through 2024. He signed a five year extension in 2019 worth between $19.25 and $20 million annually. After the team converted most of his base salary to a signing bonus, Thomas' 2021 base salary is just $1 million. The Saints could trade him for very little against the cap this year. They would also be hit with $22.7 million in "dead cash" from bonuses paid previously to offset next year's cap.
