Thomas (knee) is now a free agent, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. His contract was a bit confusing, with Thomas technically signed beyond 2024 but having some unusual bonuses that ensured his release. He's now free to sign with any team, having been cut loose by the Saints and designated as a post-June 1 release, per Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. There hasn't been any update on the knee injury that cost Thomas the final seven games of 2023.
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Status
QUESTIONABLE - Knee - Not Specified Expected Return: 2024-06-15Latest Michael Thomas news
Receiving
| Year | Team | GP | REC | TGTS | YDS | AVG | TDS | LNG | YAC | YDS/G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | NO | 10 | 39 | 64 | 448 | 12 | 1 | 31 | 100 | 45 |
| 2022 | NO | 3 | 16 | 22 | 171 | 11 | 3 | 21 | 21 | 57 |
| 2020 | NO | 7 | 40 | 55 | 438 | 11 | 0 | 24 | 82 | 63 |
| 2019 | NO | 16 | 149 | 185 | 1,725 | 12 | 9 | 49 | 583 | 108 |
Rushing
Thomas (knee) is now a free agent, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. His contract was a bit confusing, with Thomas technically signed beyond 2024 but having some unusual bonuses that ensured his release. He's now free to sign with any team, having been cut loose by the Saints and designated as a post-June 1 release, per Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. There hasn't been any update on the knee injury that cost Thomas the final seven games of 2023.
The Saints plan to release Thomas (knee) soon, Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports. The structure of Thomas' contract all but guarantees he'll be released before March 13 when the new league year starts. He turned 31 a few days ago and has been with the Saints since they took him in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft, but he's played just 20 games in four years since setting a league record with 149 receptions in 2019. Thomas averaged 117.5 catches for 1,378 yards and eight touchdowns over the first four seasons of his career, before an ankle injury Week 1 of 2020 started his run of misfortune. A knee injury cost him the final seven games of 2023, but there hasn't been any report of Thomas needing surgery.
Thomas left Sunday's Week 10 loss to the Vikings early and was never able to return. Allen said Thomas' injury isn't believed to be season ending, but the veteran wideout will be rehabbing through the Saints' well-timed Week 11 bye. If Thomas needs to miss time, rookie A.T. Perry is likely the next man up alongside Chris Olave with Rashid Shaheed sticking in his part-time role.
Thomas sustained what appeared to be an injury to his right knee during the Saints' first possession of the game Sunday. He hauled in one of his two targets for nine yards on the opening drive but was replaced by A.T. Perry on the Saints' next possession while getting his knee checked out on the sideline in the injury tent. Thomas was listed as questionable to return in the second quarter, but he remained in the locker room following halftime and was downgraded to out. The Saints are on bye Week 11, so Thomas will have some extra time to heal up in advance of the team's next game Nov. 26 at Atlanta.
Thomas caught one of his two targets for nine yards before heading to the sideline after he suffered the injury on the Saints' first drive of the day. In his absence Sunday, A.T. Perry and Lynn Bowden are available to handle snaps at receiver that don't go to Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed.
Thomas continued to serve as a consistent short-to-intermediate pass catcher during this season-best outing for the Saints' offense. The 30-year-old wideout didn't seem to be slowed down after he popped up on the injury report late with an illness Saturday. He even logged his longest reception of the season when he caught a 31-yard pass deep down the middle in the first quarter. This rather moderate-length reception speaks to Thomas' lack of involvement in the deep passing game, and he's now logged over 15.0 yards per reception in just two of eight games this season. His production should remain consistent, though capped, while serving as the Saints' No. 2 wideout behind Chris Olave moving forward.
Thomas was a late addition to the injury report after practicing in full throughout the week. His status will become official roughly 90 minutes prior to the Saints 1 p.m. ET kickoff against the Colts. If Thomas is out, it should open additional targets for the likes of Rashid Shaheed and potentially Keith Kirkwood or even Taysom Hill (chest) -- who is questionable himself.
Team
New Orleans Saints
Birthdate
3/3/1993 (31)
Status
Active
HT/WT
6'3", 212 lbs
Draft Info
2016: Rd 2; Pk (NO)
Birthplace
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Position
WR
College
Ohio State
Experience
9th season
Career History
New Orleans Saints
2016 - Present
(8 seasons)
Previous Game
19
Final
27
1
REC
9
YDS
0
TDS
2023 Regular Season Stats
REC
REC YDS
REC TDS
YAC
AVG YDS
39
448
1
100
12
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