Dennis Allen grinned when asked about a video of sprints Michael Thomas had shared earlier in the week, because it wasn't news to him.
It wasn't the first time he'd seen that type of work, and there's been a hefty amount of work that's gone on behind the scenes as his star WR works back to the field. There's still a ways to go, but his coach says Thomas is on the right track despite stating the likelihood he gets on the field during minicamp as doubtful.
“I’m good with where Mike Thomas is," Allen said. "I would much rather have him be 100% healthy and out here and all those kind of things, but that’s not where we’re at right now. He is busting his tail to get himself ready to go and I feel like he’s making significant progress. I think mentally he’s in a great place."
It's a bit of a non-update on Thomas' status, but it does strike a positive chord as the team inches closer to training camp in July. Allen said he expects the entire Saints roster to be in attendance for the mandatory mimicamp beginning on June 14, as no one has been excused. Thomas has been in the facility rehabbing multiple times during the OTA session, along with other names like Payton Turner and Marcus Davenport. Newly signed safety Marcus Maye has been more visible in his rehab, out on the field getting in limited work during camp practices.
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Thomas initially suffered his ankle injury in Week 1 of the 2020 season, with surgery and setbacks ultimately costing him the entire 2021 season. His Instagram video was posted on Tuesday along with the caption "talk soon."
"We’re just going to let that process play out and get [Thomas] healthy," Allen said. "Look, we have a long time to go before we play a game. ... I’m not looking for a huge jump, I just want to see him keep getting a little bit better each day.”
HOW ABOUT THE OTHER INJURED PLAYERS?
"With anybody that’s going through rehab, I think all of our guys are continuing to get a little bit better," Allen said. "I don’t know when that magical date is that everyone’s 100% healthy, but yea, they’re all making progress.”