Sounds like it could have been much worse for #Saints WR Michael Thomas. He’s as tough as they come, but is likely to be listed as questionable this week. https://t.co/5A91QDFFaQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2020
A scary moment quieted the already-hushed Mercedes-Benz Superdome late in Sunday’s Week 1 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas went down with a lower leg injury. Focused on blocking a Buccaneers defender, Thomas was bowled over by his falling teammate Latavius Murray, who landed awkwardly on Thomas’s back leg. Thomas exited the game but initially refused attention from Saints medical staff on the sidelines while attempting to walk it off.
On Monday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Thomas suffered a high-ankle injury in the collision, but Thomas intends to play through the pain in Week 2’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Pelissero’s NFL Network colleague Ian Rapoport added that Thomas will probably be listed as questionable to play on the injury report later this week.
It could be much worse; a full-on high-ankle sprain or bone injury could have sidelined Thomas for weeks. He was guarded well by the Buccaneers defense on Sunday and limited to just 3 catches (on 5 targets) for 17 yards, but Thomas is still the best player on the roster and a vital part of the offense. Having him ready to go at full speed is critical.
Fortunately, the Saints finally have enough weapons surrounding Thomas so that he doesn’t have to shoulder the weight of the world every week. Between 2019 Pro Bowlers Alvin Kamara, Jared Cook, return man Deonte Harris, and veteran free agent pickup Emmanuel Sanders, this is a hit the Saints can absorb while Thomas recovers.
That’s hardly good news for many fantasy football team owners out there, who invested high draft picks in Thomas. But injuries are part of this sport, and the Saints have done what they can to account for it. Hopefully you’ve done the same for your fantasy team.
Still, keep an eye out for the Saints injury report later this week to see how often Thomas is participating in practice. Because the Saints and Raiders play on Monday Night Football next week, Thomas will have an extra day of rest to recover before he takes the field.
