Saints place Michael Thomas goes on IR, but optimistic for playoff return
By John Buhler
Michael Thomas will not return to the New Orleans Saints until at least January.
With New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas going on injured reserve, it means Drew Brees and the passing attack will be limited in the final weeks of the regular season.
2020 had been a frustrating season for the three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver. He dealt with a myriad of injuries, limiting him to only 40 receptions and 438 yards in seven games played this year. The Saints’ No. 1 wide receiver did not even hit pay dirt a single time in this campaign, yet New Orleans is still very much alive for the No. 1 seed in the NFC at 10-3. How is that possible?
Michael Thomas is expected to return in time for the Saints’ playoff run
This feels like it will be Brees’ final season in the NFL. He has a lucrative broadcasting career waiting for him as soon as he retires with NBC. Though Brees is a no-doubt, future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer, he has not been healthy the last few years and we have to believe very little is left in his tank. Now, he must battle for playoff positioning without his top target available.
Next. 3 starting quarterback options for the 2021 Cowboys. dark
Sunday will be Brees’ first start since fracturing nearly half of his ribs vs. the San Francisco 49ers weeks ago. Though Week 15 will be in New Orleans, the Saints will host the best team in football in the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Brees and company will need to play a perfect game to hand Kansas City its second loss of the year. This is a must-win for the Saints.
Not having Thomas the next three weeks may mean the Saints will play on Wild Card weekend.