The New Orleans Saints have announced that they have placed four-time Pro Bowler, Michael Thomas, on injured reserve. This move comes after Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain during the team’s season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Thomas, who has been a key player for the Saints since being drafted in 2016, was expected to have another standout season. However, his injury will now keep him off the field for at least three weeks.
The 27-year-old wide receiver has been a dominant force for the Saints, setting an NFL record for most receptions in a single season with 149 catches in 2019. He has also been named to the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons and was named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2019.
The Saints will now have to rely on their other receivers, including Emmanuel Sanders and Tre’Quan Smith, to step up in Thomas’ absence. Sanders, who was signed by the Saints in the offseason, had three catches for 15 yards in the season opener. Smith, who has been with the team since 2018, had two catches for 8 yards.
The Saints will also have to adjust their game plan without Thomas, who is known for his ability to make big plays and create mismatches for opposing defenses. However, head coach Sean Payton is confident in his team’s depth and ability to adapt.
“We’re fortunate to have depth at that position,” Payton said. “We’ll lean on those other guys and find ways to move the football.”
In addition to Thomas, the Saints also placed defensive end Marcus Davenport on injured reserve with an elbow injury. Davenport, who was a first-round pick in 2018, had 31 tackles and six sacks last season.
The Saints have not announced any corresponding moves to fill the roster spots left by Thomas and Davenport. However, they do have a few options, including promoting a player from their practice squad or signing a free agent.
The Saints will face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 without Thomas and Davenport. It will be a tough challenge for the team, but they have shown in the past that they can overcome injuries and still find success.
This is not the first time the Saints have had to deal with injuries to key players. Last season, quarterback Drew Brees missed five games due to a thumb injury, but the team still managed to finish with a 13-3 record and make it to the playoffs.
The Saints will have to rely on their depth and resilience once again as they navigate through Thomas’ absence. It will be a challenging few weeks, but the team is confident that they can continue to compete and win without their star receiver.
