Michael Thomas joins Saints for preseason game as tensions have reportedly improved
Michael Thomas has joined the New Orleans Saints in Baltimore for their preseason opener against the Ravens, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett, who adds that it's a sign tensions have eased between the team and the wide receiver.
However, Thomas underwent ankle surgery in June and will not play in Saturday night's game.
Tension between Thomas and the Saints had built up this summer as the wide receiver reportedly ignored the team's phone calls until he showed up for mandatory minicamp in June. Thomas initially decided to forego surgery and take a conservative approach to rehab with his injured ankle, but that didn't work, and his lack of communication could've factored into his surgery being delayed.
When multiple reports suggested Thomas was to blame for the delay, he expressed his frustration on Twitter. According to Triplett, he also "liked" various tweets suggesting the Saints urged him to play through his injury without surgery last season and are now blaming him for not being ready to go for Week 1 of the 2021 campaign.
Thomas missed nine games in 2020 due to the injury and team discipline for a separate issue, finishing with 40 catches for 438 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. He previously recorded four consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus yards before the 2020 season.
There was speculation this summer that the Saints would attempt to trade Thomas, but that doesn't appear to be in the cards. The 28-year-old is under contract through 2024, and if New Orleans traded him now, it wouldn't be saving much money.
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