Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas out vs. Tampa Bay

Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) against the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

After questions all week about his status, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas will miss Sunday’s game.

On Wednesday, rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas popped up on the New Orleans Saints’ injury report with a foot injury and did not practice. Another missed practive on Thursday, followed by a limited session on Friday, seemed to make Thomas a true game-time decision for Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Now, there is definitive word on Thomas’ availability.

Michael Thomas, Max Unger and Craig Robertson are inactive today. Full list: https://t.co/UpcPa74TAx #NOvsTB #Saints50 via @OchsnerHealth pic.twitter.com/jJ1I0TAkE6
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) December 11, 2016

Thomas leads the Saints in receptions (69), targets (89), receiving yards (831) and receiving touchdowns (seven) so far this season, so he will be missed equally by quarterback Drew Brees and his fantasy owners in a critical week. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead are now clearly New Orleans’ top two wide receivers for the game against the Buccaneers, with Brandon Coleman (three touchdowns on 20 receptions this season) likely in line for a bigger role as the No. 3 wide receiver.

With a 5-7 record right now, the Saints need to win on Sunday to realistically stay in the NFC Wild Card race. Being without Thomas makes that task a lot harder, particularly with Tampa Bay entering the game with a four-game winning streak. But Brees is noted for his ability to spread the ball around, so the Saints offense should be fine and someone will get an opportunity to help fill the void left by Thomas.

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