It still appears to be quite some time before the Saints will see Michael Thomas on the field, but he should soon be standing alongside it.
The much-discussed receiver is expected to be with the team as they face off with the Ravens in their preseason opener Saturday night, first reported by Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com.
Thomas' attendance came about after a discussion between the Saints and Thomas earlier in the week, which included a request from Payton that he join the team in Baltimore, Duncan adds.
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While spotting the receiver on the sidelines, which he assuredly will be by the broadcast cameras, doesn't move No. 13 any closer to game-ready, it will be the first time he's been with the team in public since his June surgery news was revealed. Thomas is expected to miss multiple games at the start of the season as he recovers from a procedure that coach Sean Payton said should have happened earlier.
The apparent rift between the team and player was borne out in frustration and social media posts, the most recent appearing to accuse the team of attempting to damage his reputation.
Speculation about a trade kicked off, of course, but it appears to the two sides are on their way to mending fences and getting back to business. Tre'Quan Smith, another Saints receiver who has been absent as he deals with an injury, was at the team's training camp practice Wednesday and could also be looking on from the sidelines in Baltimore, along with other inactive players.
Nonetheless, Thomas' appearance will certainly be analyzed and interpreted to no end. We'll have to wait until Saturday night to know more.
For the full report from NOLA.com, click here.
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