As the New Orleans Saints destroy in a recent starting quarterback to change the retired Drew Brees, the crew’s passing attack would be in for one other early-season hiccup.
Extensive receiver Michael Thomas is expected to miss the start of the unique season after present process surgical draw in June to repair the ligaments in his ankle, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday.
Thomas is expected to miss the Week 1 opener towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers and is likely to be out for multiple weeks, in accordance to Rapoport.
Thomas suffered the ankle harm in Week 1 final season towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and missed the crew’s subsequent six video games ahead of returning. He played in precisely seven contests in 2020, recording a profession-low 62.6 yards per game.
The three-time Professional Bowl selection served as the point of pastime of the Saints’ passing attack for the four previous seasons since he used to be selected by the crew within the 2nd spherical of the 2016 NFL draft. He put an NFL report with 149 receptions in 2019 whereas additionally main the league with a profession-supreme 1,725 receiving yards.
Saints coach Sean Payton used to be optimistic in June about Thomas’ ankle.
“He’s here and taking section. He looks to be like moral,” Payton stated in a news convention. “We peaceable monitor it, hear to it, scan it, and all those things. He’s getting therapy and doing the things mandatory. So, up to now, so moral.”
The Saints return puny production at receiver exterior of Thomas after losing No. 2 target Emmanuel Sanders to the Buffalo Payments in free company. Tre’Quan Smith is the finest other receiver who had more than 400 receiving yards final season. Operating abet Alvin Kamara led the crew in every receptions (83) and receiving yards (756) final season.
Apply Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.
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Saints star WR Michael Thomas expected to miss start of NFL season with ankle harm, per report