Saints WR Thomas Says Team Questioning Timing Of Injured Ankle

New Orleans Saints leading wide receiver Michael Thomas is throwing out some heavy allegations against the team that he currently plays for, stating that the club is looking to damage his reputation.

The superstar receiver was replying to rumors that he simply ignored the Saints this offseason when asked about his ankle and its recovery.

Thomas had surgery in June, a few months removed from the end of the season, but some in New Orleans think he should have had the surgery sooner to be able to get back on the playing field.

Instead, five months passed before he had the surgery, and now with the 2021 season looming in a month, he's not going to be ready for the opener against the Green Bay Packers at home.

It'll be the first game in the new era of the Saints with Drew Brees now wearing a broadcast headset instead of a helmet.

One person also speaking about the Thomas situation is coach Sean Payton, who says that he's well aware of the loss that Thomas is to the team's offense.

"Well, look, it appears we're gonna have to spend some time without him. It's disappointing," Payton told reporters in July.

"We'll work through it with the other players that are here. But the surgery took place, and obviously we would've liked that to happen earlier than later. And quite honestly, it should've."

Thomas' timetable for a return from the injury could be up to four months, putting him back on the playing field possibly in late October.

Last season, Thomas had only 40 catches before the ankle injury was too much to overcome.

The first four seasons of Thomas' career was like a personal highlight film, pulling in at least 90 catches for 1,100 yards each season, and he and Brees were one of the most dangerous 1-2 punches in the NFL for the last few seasons.

Why the Saints would question Thomas at this point is a mystery, but they must want to light a fire under the receiver to get him more motivated to get back on the field sooner rather than later.