Even though Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas battled injuries over the past three seasons, New Orleans believes he can rebound in 2023 and re-establish himself as an elite wideout.
Per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, when Saints general manager Mickey Loomis was asked if Thomas could become a guy who catches 100 targets again, he said, “Absolutely he can.”
From 2017 to 2019, Thomas recorded 100 or more receptions each season. In 2019, he set an NFL record with 149 receptions in 16 games, earning Offensive Player of The Year.
Since 2020, he has missed 40 games due to injury. In 2021 he missed the entire season with an ankle injury and only played in three games last season before having surgery on his toe.
Thomas is 30 years old, making his durability a bigger concern. Expecting him to recover and become a top-five WR again seems far-fetched.
Also, the Saints already found a successor at WR1, Chris Olave. During his rookie season in 2022, Olave had the 18th-most receiving yards in the NFL with 1,042 in 15 games.
However, Thomas could still have a role in the offense because the Saints WR room is thin. Aside from Thomas and Olave, they have Rashid Shaheed and Tre’Quan Smith; neither crossed the 30-reception mark last season.
New Saints QB Derek Carr needs reliable targets. Consequently, New Orleans signed Thomas to a one-year deal this offseason. It also gives Thomas one more chance to re-energize his career.
During a recent appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Saints head coach Dennis Allen said, “When we get to training camp, [Thomas will] be good to go.”
It’s a good update for the Saints. Even if he fills a different role, Thomas can still be a productive player.
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