Michael Thomas has had a lingering ankle injury since the 2020 season. After suffering a hamstring injury and coming back to ride it out for the rest of that season, Thomas delayed surgery until June of 2021. After that, Thomas suffered a setback in November and would be out for the entire 2021 season. It felt like Thomas would never play for the Saints again but now it appears there’s a light at the end of this tunnel.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Thomas is “in a good place” and has been communicating with the Saints. Rapoport also revealed that the Saints don’t plan to trade Thomas and expect him to play for the team in the 2022 season.
From Super Bowl Live: #Saints WR Michael Thomas is back in New Orleans and in a good place – finally – health-wise. A look at what he's been through and why the Saints won't deal him. pic.twitter.com/TtE9UyMyBv
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 12, 2022
“It seems the curiosity and saga surrounding Michael Thomas, the Saints standout receiver, is coming to a close in a positive way for all parties. Of course, Michael Thomas missed last season with a foot injury and then had surgery late and then of course a setback and ended up having surgery again. It just never quite got right. I am told two important factors in the Michael Thomas situation. One, he has spent considerable time in New York after another setback with his foot, getting weekly treatments. That is where he’s been really since the regular season ended after he announced and made it clear that he was not coming back. The other part of it is he is back in New Orleans now. He has been communicating with the team. I am told they are not expected to trade him and they want him back. So expect Michael Thomas back with the New Orleans Saints and of course new coach Dennis Allen for the 2022 season.”
Things could always change between now and the start of the 2022 season but this is certainly a positive step considering what all has gone on over the past year.
