Saints’ WR Michael Thomas had an altercation with a teammate at practice this weekend, per league sources. Saints now disciplining Thomas by sitting him Monday night, when he was being listed as questionable with an ankle injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2020
The New Orleans Saints created a stir on Sunday by ruling out star wide receiver Michael Thomas for Monday night’s game with the Los Angeles Chargers after previously listing him as questionable to play with an ankle injury, explaining it as a team disciplinary measure. And now we have some details.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Thomas was involved in “an altercation with a teammate at practice this weekend,” and the Saints are sidelining him for Week 5’s matchup as a disciplinary measure. It’s unclear which Saints player Thomas fought with or under what circumstances.
It’s a very unusual situation. The Saints are on bye in Week 6, so Thomas should be expected to return for Week 7’s game against the Carolina Panthers. But this remains a bizarre subplot. 2020, y’all.
Update: More details have been reported by NFL insider Josina Anderson, who adds that Thomas was ejected from practice on Friday after the altercation. A Sunday meeting with Saints coach Sean Payton resulted in Thomas being fined for conduct detrimental to the team and the one-game suspension.
However, this doesn’t line up with everything we know. Thomas was seen at the Saints’ practice on Saturday and was listed as participating on a limited basis, which has been the case for the last two weeks. So Anderson either confused Friday and Saturday, or Thomas was on his best behavior to close out the week but still received discipline from Payton. Stay tuned.
Adding: Source: I'm told #Saints WR Michael Thomas was told to leave prax Friday after an altercation w/a teammate in practice. After meeting with the HC Sunday, Thomas has been fined for conduct detrimental and won't play Mon. Expected to return to the team some time next week. https://t.co/VaGEkv07yA
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 11, 2020
