The Saints got back on the field for workouts this week, and while star WR Michael Thomas was at the team facility, he wasn't out on the field.
He's still going through rehab and working to rejoin the team. The plan is for him to be on the field for training camp in July, though head coach Dennis Allen concedes he is not a fortune-teller, we'll have to wait and see.
“That’s certainly our plan," Allen said. "If I had a crystal ball and could tell you all these things I’d probably be making a lot more money and doing something different. But yea, our hope is that he’s gonna be ready to go for training camp so that’s what we’re pushing for.”
The star WR didn't take the field in the 2021 season due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 1 of the 2020 season, along with surgery and multiple setbacks. His potential return has been lauded by head coach Dennis Allen as being like an extra first-round selection. The team spent one of its actual first round selections on another standout WR in Ohio State's Chris Olave. The Buckeye duo could be fearsome when it finally gets on the field.
"He’s not ready yet," Allen said. "But he’s here and he’s rehabbing. He’s getting himself better and were certainly anxious to get him out here.”
Thomas was far from alone in his absence from the first of three OTA sessions, which are voluntary. A handful of other players, including Marcus Davenport, Marcus Maye and Payton Turner, were also at the facility for rehab without getting on the field for work. Other key absences included running backs Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram, linebacker Demario Davis, offensive linemen James Hurst and Landon Young, tight ends Taysom Hill and Adam Trautman, among others. Allen said he had communicated with all the players who were not in attendance, and none of the absences are problematic. Workouts are not mandatory until minicamp later in June.
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That said, there's obviously motivation to see the full version of the offense with Thomas in action. Jameis Winston was back on the field wearing a knee brace six months removed from a major knee injury. He'll have to wait to see how he can connect with Jarvis Landry, who was also absent, and Thomas.
In the meantime, Winston will continue to build his rapport with Olave and the other receivers in attendance. But can Thomas be expected to get back to the dominant form of himself last seen in the 2019 record-setting season? Again, Allen doesn't have a crystal ball, but...
“We certainly hope so," the coach said. "But until Mike is actually able to get out here on the field and demonstrate that, I can’t answer that question. That’s my hope and I know that’s what all of us are working towards.”