Saints WR Michael Thomas will start training camp on PUP list

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Saints WR Michael Thomas returns to practice, will start training camp on PUP list

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 7/27/22

ESPN's Katherine Terrell reported Tuesday night that New Orleans Saints three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas would be starting training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list (PUP), but should return " soon." On Wednesday, the 29-year-old made his way back onto the Saints practice field and looked to be showing signs of recovery from his ankle injury that will make fans in the "The Big Easy" rejoice.

Dennis Allen says he thought Mike looked good today

“I was excited to see 13 back on the field” https://t.co/v8JxorkzcJ
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 27, 2022

First-year head coach Dennis Allen said in late-May that it was "certainly our plan" to have Thomas ready for training camp. Then one week ago, it was reported that New Orleans was optimistic that the former two-time All-Pro wideout would be cleared during camp.

Thomas was widely viewed as one of the premier players in the game at his position when he last suited up during the 2020 season. He appeared in 48 straight regular-season games during his second, third and fourth years in the league from 2017-19, but Thomas was limited to seven contests in 2020 due to the ankle ailment, which cost him all of 2021.

A second-round pick in 2016, Thomas has 510 career receptions for 5,950 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns on 657 targets in 70 regular-season games. He put up four straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2016-2019 and led the NFL in receptions (149), receiving yards (1,725) and receiving yards per game (107.8) in 2019 on his way to earning that season's AP Offensive Player of the Year award.

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