2 min read • May 14, 2022
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Twenty months into his recovery from a left ankle sprain, Saints’ receiver Michael Thomas posted an Instagram video showing him running a straight-line sprint earlier this week.
Thomas has been mostly absent from the public eye since he last played in Jan. 2021 – save for a handful of cryptic social media posts – but looks to be gearing up for a return to the new-look Saints.
The video Thomas posted, however, does not reassure the Pro Football Docs – including Dr. David Chao – that his ankle has recovered enough to get him back to his pre-injury status as an elite NFL receiver and bonafide first-round fantasy pick.
The video shows Thomas putting little stress on the ankle. He is running in a straight line with no cutting or change of direction and appears to be moving slow and labored. While the 29-year-old is more of a possession receiver than a deep-threat burner, the way he is struggling on his left side is concerning.
Thomas’ saga with his left ankle has already taken away two years of what looked to be a burgeoning hall-of-fame career. After setting an NFL record with 149 catches for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns, he suffered a high-ankle sprain in the closing moments of Week 1. Thomas returned in Week 9, but aggravated the injury later in the season and was placed on IR.
In his nine games in 2020, including two playoff starts, Thomas totaled 45 catches for 511 yards and one score, good for only 56.78 yards per game. That was a significant downgrade from the robust 7.5 receptions and 85.7 yards per contest he averaged in his first five seasons.
The story got interesting in the offseason, as Thomas was reportedly expected to undergo multiple surgeries on his left ankle in Jan. 2021.
He and the Saints instead decided on a conservative approach to avoid surgery, but Thomas reportedly broke off contact with the organization all offseason. When he re-appeared in June, his ankle had yet to recover, necessitating the multi-ligament repair that kept him out for all of 2021.
There is a chance that Thomas can return and make an impact for the Saints in their new post-Payton world, but Jarvis Landry and rookie Chris Olave are more reliable fantasy targets at the moment.
Jameis Winston, coming off ACL surgery, projects to be ready for Week 1, but it remains to be seen what scheme first-year head coach Dennis Allen will opt for.
Saints Super Bowl Odds
The Saints are +4000 to win Super Bowl LVII with a win total of over/under 8.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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Video posted on Michael Thomas’ story. Looks like (?) MT is doing well in rehab as well as a new look with a F7 helmet and a visor 👀
