New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22), running back Alvin Kamara (41), and wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Saints' Alvin Kamara takes criticism of teammate Michael Thomas to heart

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 11/4/22

The New Orleans Saints suffered a significant loss on offense this week after learning that wideout Michael Thomas' 2022 campaign was over after being placed on injured reserve with a toe injury.

For Thomas, it's another bad break in a seemingly neverending string of bad breaks. After playing only 10 regular season games since 2020, Thomas has come under fire from fans and media alike for being unreliable.

On Friday, running back Alvin Kamara spoke up for Thomas and blasted those on the outside who fail to understand the grind of the NFL and the lengths players must go to be ready for game day.

"I just saw a couple of comments in the media about him," Kamara said. "Basically like, 'You can't trust him. He's not being honest about his injury. Why is he waiting until now to be ruled out?' I'm like, man, nobody knows what we go through in here. The masses get to see Sunday."

Alvin Kamara goes to bat for his teammate Michael Thomas, defending him from the criticism the Saints WR has received for the string of injuries he's suffered the last three seasons

Kamara: 'It irks my soul to see that' @WWLTV pic.twitter.com/xsh3iAVjwF
— Ricardo LeCompte (@RLeCompteTV) November 4, 2022

Since Thomas' record-breaking 2019 season, he missed most of 2020 with an ankle injury that required surgery, forcing him to miss all of 2021. Thomas battled through his rehab and was able to start 2022 healthy until the injury bug struck again.

"A player like that, that's fighting to get back, not only for his team but for the fans and for his city — for people to be talking s---, it's like, ah, it hurts my soul to see that," Kamara said.

Kamara took the criticism aimed at Thomas to heart, scoffing at the idea that players are okay with getting hurt as long as they get paid.

"You know Mike, out of anybody in this locker room, he's one of them dudes who's fighting to be on the field," Kamara said. "He even wanted to play still knowing that he had to do that and fix his foot and be out for the season."

Thomas finishes the season with 16 receptions for 171 yards and three touchdowns.

The three-time Pro Bowler has two years remaining on a five-year, $96 million extension signed in 2019. Thomas is due $15.5 million in 2023 and $18.5 million in 2024.

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