Saints Continue Without Concrete Michael Thomas Return Update

The New Orleans Saints have begun the 2021 NFL season 4-2 despite No. 1 wide receiver Michael Thomas having yet to play a game. The three-time Pro Bowler is still on the PUP list after undergoing ankle surgery in July. He's been eligible to return since Week 7, however, there hasn't been any details on a concrete return timetable just yet.

No injury updates from Sean Payton when asked about Michael Thomas' timetable. We'll see the Saints on the practice field for the first time this week later today.
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) October 28, 2021

Michael Thomas Return

The Saints released their estimated injury report on Wednesday, but Thomas' name wasn't listed. That doesn't mean he won't play in Week 8.

Saints head coach Sean Payton was asked Thursday morning about Thomas potentially returning to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this weekend. Payton said that there wasn't an update, although everyone will know more after New Orleans practices later in the day.

The Saints have struggled to pass the ball without Thomas, averaging just 176.2 passing yards (31st) and an NFL-worst 15.3 completions per game. Marquez Callaway (254) and Deonte Harris (236) are the only Saints wideouts to reach over 100 yards this season and the latter hasn't practiced since Week 5 due to a hamstring injury.

While New Orleans currently sits second in the NFC South, they need Thomas to return to help strengthen their playoff hopes. He has 510 receptions in 70 career games for 5,950 yards and 32 touchdowns, proving he's the difference-maker that the Saints need.

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Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.