The New Orleans Saints have battled to a 5-5 record, which has given them sole possession of first place in the NFC South.
While starting quarterback Derek Carr hasn’t played that well and suffered a concussion in their last game during Week 10, they have been getting things done on the defensive side of the football, where they rank eighth in both points and total yards given up.
This season has also marked the return of wide receiver Michael Thomas, a former star who had been riddled with injuries the previous three years.
He has put up 448 receiving yards and one touchdown in 10 games, but in that Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, he suffered a knee injury, and per Adam Schefter, the Saints have now placed him on injured reserve while signing wideout Marquez Callaway to replace him.
Saints placed WR Michael Thomas on injured reserve and signed WR Marquez Callaway to their practice squad.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 21, 2023
Not too long ago, Thomas was one of the NFL’s great players at his position.
He led everyone with 1,725 receiving yards during the 2019 season, and it was also the second straight year in which he led the league in receptions.
There’s no doubt that back then, Thomas benefitted from playing with legendary quarterback Drew Brees during Brees’ twilight years.
But in Week 1 of the 2020 campaign, he suffered a high ankle sprain, an injury that cost him nine games that year and all of the following season.
In 2022, a foot injury limited him to just three contests, 171 receiving yards, and three touchdowns.
Without Thomas, it will be up to wideout Chris Olave, who is having a solid sophomore season, and dual-threat running back Alvin Kamara to step up and carry New Orleans to the playoffs for the first time since Brees’ retirement.
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