New Orleans Saints could be in major trouble without Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas’ injury could keep him out for a few weeks in the regular season, which puts the New Orleans Saints in an outright terrible spot. 

There was one familiar face every New Orleans Saints fan knew wouldn’t be suiting up for the team in the 2021 NFL season. Quarterback Drew Brees announced his retirement after a Hall-of-Fame career, meaning Sean Payton’s club was always going to be experiencing some major changes this year.

However, one of the comforting notions was that the Saints would still have their two most proven offensive playmakers, running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas, returning to help whoever replaces Bress. Unfortunately, that no longer seems like it’s the case.

According to multiple reports, Thomas underwent ankle surgery in June. NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport added that, with a provided four-month timetable for the wide receiver’s recovery, that could mean that he will be out until October, meaning that Thomas would miss multiple weeks of the regular season.

Not having Michael Thomas puts the New Orleans Saints behind the 8-ball with few ways around it.

To put it plainly, there were reasons to be concerned about the Saints even before the Thomas news. Neither Taysom Hill nor Jameis Winston has proven their ability to be a winning quarterback in the NFL, no matter if Payton is pulling the strings or not. Furthermore, this team had to cut ties with a number of key players this offseason due to fighting the salary cap.

When you then subtract Thomas from that equation, it becomes difficult to find reasons for confidence or optimism. If nothing else, Thomas was the reliable pass-catcher that both Hill and Winston could look to as a safety option given how often he’s open. When he’s not available, though, the severe lack of depth at wide receiver becomes evident.

Now, two quarterbacks with big question marks will come into the season with a group of wide receivers — at least before the Saints surely sign a free agent — who have fewer than 100 career receptions at this point. Even with the history in New Orleans, how is anyone supposed to be positive about what that will look like?

The Saints have been perennial NFC contenders and, while they had already fallen a bit behind the Buccaneers, things are taking a stark turn for the worst. While Thomas will only be out early in the year, the ceiling is now substantially more limited in New Orleans and, frankly, the playoffs truly seem like a longshot.