Saints WR Michael Thomas aiming to top historic 2019 season

New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas enters the 2022 season looking for redemption. 

After missing the entire 2021 season and most of 2020 with an ankle injury, Thomas began training camp on the Saints' PUP list. However, on July 27, Thomas took a big step forward after being cleared to return to practice. 

With a few weeks of reps under his belt, the three-time Pro Bowler is getting his swag back. The 29-year-old's goal for the season is to top his historic 2019 season. 

"I'm trying to top that," Thomas said via the team's website (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk).  

Two seasons ago, Thomas snatched an NFL-record 149 catches and set a Saints team-record with 1,725 yards on top of being named the league's Offensive Player of the Year. 

After a season-plus away from the game, Thomas is eager to get back on the field and show he's still the same receiver he was before the injury. 

"I believe in my game, I believe in my craft," Thomas said. "I feel the good thing about this game is you can put it on display on Sunday, and I can't wait to put it on display. 

Thomas' status for the Saints' Week 1 contest against the Atlanta Falcons is uncertain, but the wideout says that suiting up for the opener is still the goal. 

Drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Saints, Thomas has compiled 510 catches for 5,950 yards and 32 touchdowns over 70 career NFL games.