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Saturday update: The Saints have formally ruled out Michael Thomas for Week 2 Monday Night Football against the Raiders.
Friday PM update: The Saints returned to practice and Michael Thomas remains sidelined with his ankle injury, per reporter Nick Underhill. The Saints have one more practice session on Saturday before releasing their final Monday Night Football injury report.
Friday AM update: Thomas was listed as a DNP at practice on Thursday, working with trainers on his injured ankle. He “felt fantastic” in what work he did, according to Adam Schefter, and there is reportedly a “little glimmer of hope” he can play on Monday against the Raiders. Schefter is reporting it’s still unlikely, but it sounds like the Saints are holding out a little bit of hope.
Tuesday update: Michael Thomas is “expected to miss several weeks” due to his high ankle sprain. Emmanuel Sanders becomes Drew Brees’ No. 1 receiver in Thomas’ absence.
#Saints star WR Michael Thomas' high-ankle injury is worse than originally believed, and he’s now expected to miss several weeks, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 15, 2020
Thomas is as tough as they come and surely will try to defy that timeline. But it'll be a battle.
New Orleans wide receiver Michael Thomas suffered an apparent ‘high-ankle’ sprain Sunday against the Buccaneers. Thomas believes he can play through the injury, but if this truly is a high-ankle sprain, it will be tough for his play not to be affected.
#Saints star WR Michael Thomas suffered a high-ankle injury in Sunday’s win over the #Bucs, but it’s something he believes he can play through, sources tell me and @RapSheet. With an extra day before next Monday’s game vs. #Raiders, nobody ruling Thomas out.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2020
Thomas had a down game, especially for him, as he caught three passes for 17 yards on Sunday. We don’t know exactly when the injury happened, but it looks like it happened when the game was already in hand:
#Saints star WR Mike Thomas may had gotten hurt while the #Saints continue to call plays with starters in a game already won.pic.twitter.com/goq1HvJc8L
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 13, 2020
If Thomas is limited, Tre’Quan Smith, Emmanuel Sanders, Alvin Kamara, and Jared Cook would likely see an immediate boost in work. It would also be a blow to Drew Brees’ fantasy upside.