Although 2023 hasn’t been completely perfect, the New Orleans Saints are still in the midst of a battle for the NFC South division title. With just three remaining games, New Orleans is tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7-7.
Now, playing on Thursday Night Football, the Saints will be without one of their top receivers, Michael Thomas, due to injury.
Michael Thomas’ Injury
Thomas has been one of the best receivers in the NFL when healthy since 2016, but he’s struggled with injuries. He has played in just 10 of a possible 41 games over the last three seasons.
In 2023, the Saints placed Thomas on injured reserve ahead of Week 15 as a result of a knee injury, meaning he will miss the team’s final four games. In response to placing Thomas on IR, the Saints signed Marquez Callaway to their practice squad.
In 2020, it was hamstring and ankle issues that caused Thomas to miss nearly half the season. A setback in his ankle injury rehab caused him to miss the entire 2021 season. In 2022, he played in only three games thanks to more hamstring issues and a pedal toe dislocation.
Thomas was drafted in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft with the 47th overall pick. Since being drafted, he has been named an All-Pro twice, a Pro Bowler three times, and NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He also has been the NFL receptions leader twice and receiving yards leader once.
Thomas has 565 career receptions for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns. In his best season (2019), he had 149 receptions — which set an NFL record — for 1,725 yards, and he won NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
In 2023 alone, he played in 10 games, catching 39 passes for 448 yards and one touchdown. Since 2021, he has just 95 receptions for 1,057 yards and four touchdowns.
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Due to all of his injuries, Thomas is no longer the top receiver on the Saints. That title goes to Chris Olave, who was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Olave has caught 144 career passes for 1,960 yards and eight touchdowns. Thus far, in 2023, he has 72 receptions for 918 yards and four touchdowns.
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