Michael Thomas won't be available to catch passes from Jameis Winston as he battles for the Saints starting quarterback job.
Winston said he was "devastated" when he heard the news Thomas would likely be out to start the season as he recovers from ankle surgery. But Winston knows one thing for certain: MT ain't waiting around.
"This guy is one of the most dominant receivers over the past five years. This guys has a tremendous work ethic," Winston said after training camp practice on Saturday. "This guy wants to be here, so I guarantee you Mike Thomas is working his tail off, right now, to get back with us."
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Thomas underwent the surgery in June to repair damage from an ankle injury suffered against the Bucs last season. Thomas was limited to just seven games in the regular season, but was available for Winston's lone extended game action in the second half against the 49ers. He targeted Thomas four times in the game, connecting once for a 12-yard completion.
Outside of that half Winston largely rode the bench as the backup to Brees and Hill, who took over as starter in four games during Drew Brees' injury absence. That experience after being selected No. 1 overall and playing five seasons with the Tampa Bay Bucs helps him understand what Thomas is going through now.
"We’re going to remember this year for Mike Thomas," Winston said. "All great players go through adversity. I had some adversity where I had to sit the bench all of last year. So all great players go through adversity and Mike Thomas is going to bounce back stronger than ever. And that’s what this culture is with this Saints organization before I even got here."
Winston and Taysom Hill are in the midst of a competition to determine the new quarterback for the Saints after Brees' retirement. Without the NFL record-holder for catches in a season, young players in Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, Deonte Harris and others are also battling to step into a larger role.
But when asked if the team was upset with the star WR, he was quick to spike that idea.
“No. We’re uplifting him," Winston said. "We’re encouraging our teammates here. That’s what we do. We got his back. I got his back, 100%."
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