Michael Thomas injury update: Saints WR has ankle surgery, timeline for return unclear, per report

Bad news for your fantasy draft.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas underwent ankle surgery in June, putting his availability for the start of the 2021 NFL season in doubt, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:

The star wideout only played in seven games during the 2020 season, catching 40 passes for 438 yards before landing on injured reserve. He returned in the postseason.

Here’s the latest on Thomas’ injury and when you can expect him to back on the field.

Michael Thomas injury update

In June, the Saints wide receiver had surgery to repair an ankle injury. It’s presumably the second of what was reported to be multiple ankle surgeries this offseason.

There’s no solid timeline for Thomas’ return, but with the surgery occurring in June and a recovery timeline that could put him out for the next four months, a return to the field in late September or early October is possible.

Thomas has been dealing with the injury since Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season. The injury occurred in garbage time during the Saints’ victory over the Buccaneers.

Doctors recommended multiple procedures on Thomas’ ankle, which means his June surgery probably wasn’t his first of the offseason, but the timing is curious: ESPN had reported that Thomas was recommended for surgery in January, with a timeline that would have had him ready for summer OTAs and training camp. That, obviously, is not the case.

Thomas recorded 40 receptions for 438 yards last season before landing on IR. He returned for the postseason.

New Orleans’ offense is going to have a tough go of it without Thomas: The Saints’ wide receiver depth isn’t ideal, and their quarterback situation is a total unknown, with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill competing for the starting job.

That competition will be a little tougher without one of the game’s best on the outside.

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