MICHAEL THOMAS NEWS

Takes field again for practice Thomas (ankle) practiced again Friday, but he's no sure thing to play Sunday against the Lions, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

Impact It isn't yet clear if Thomas progressed to full participation or remained limited for a third straight day. He seems to be headed for a 'questionable' designation when the Saints released their final injury report Friday afternoon.

OCTOBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Another limited practice Thomas (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Thomas maintained his activity level from Wednesday, which marked his first work on the practice field since he suffered a high left ankle sprain Week 1. He'll look to put in a full session Friday, but even if he doesn't Thomas is trending in the right direction for a return to action Sunday at Detroit.

OCTOBER 1, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Returns as limited participant Thomas (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact As Thomas works to get back into game shape, he attended and took part in his first official practice Wednesday since sustaining a high left ankle sprain Week 1 against the Buccaneers. Since then, he's been focusing on rehab and even looked good in a workout last Friday. Still, Thomas has two more days to prove the health of his ankle once and for all with a full showing, before the Saints decide on his status for Sunday's game against the Lions.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Back at practice Thomas (ankle) took part in Wednesday's practice, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Impact Absent the past two games due to a high left ankle sprain suffered in the Saints' season opener, Thomas is getting his ducks in a row as he prepares to return to action, potentially Sunday in Detroit. To that end, he was "moving really well" during a workout last Friday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Though Thomas has now taken another step forward by getting back on the practice field, it's unclear how much he was able to participate Wednesday.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Targets Week 4 return Thomas (ankle) was "moving really well" during his Friday workout and hopes to play next weekend against the Lions, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

Impact The Saints' star wideout is dealing with a high ankle sprain and won't play Sunday night against the Packers, but he'll look to gain clearance from the team's training staff this coming week. Thomas hasn't practiced since suffering his injury during Week 1 action.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not suiting up Sunday The Saints ruled out Thomas (ankle) for Sunday's game against the Packers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact On the other side of the ball, Green Bay has given Davante Adams (hamstring) a 'doubtful' designation. It appears both teams will be without their star wide receivers Week 3, and in the Saints' case, they'll rely on Emmanuel Sanders, Tre'Quan Smith, Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway to keep the offense moving Sunday.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

No practice reps Thursday Thomas (ankle) was held out of practice Thursday, Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reports.

Impact For the second straight day, Thomas was listed as a non-participant, but on this occasion the Saints actually took the field without the wide receiver. He'll have one more opportunity to get in some practice reps before the team will assign a designation for a Week 3 showdown with the Packers. If Thomas is unable to suit up again, the Saints will rely on Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith as their top two WR, with Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway filling in on occasion.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not present Thursday Thomas (ankle) wasn't present for the portion of Thursday's practice open to the media, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact If Thomas indeed doesn't participate Thursday, it'll mark his second session in a row without any activity. He was given a timeline of 2-to-4 weeks to recover from the left high ankle sprain suffered in the season opener, so another DNP this Sunday versus the Packers won't surprise in the least. Thomas' official activity level will be known later Thursday afternoon.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as DNP on Wednesday Thomas (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Thomas was given a 2-to-4 week timetable to return after suffering a high-ankle sprain Week 1, so it's no surprise that he's not back on the practice field just yet. While the Saints have two days of prep to go this week, it'll be mildly shocking if Thomas joins his teammates Thursday or Friday. If he does, though, he could begin putting himself in a position to play as soon as Sunday against the Packers.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Facing 2-to-4-week timeline Thomas (ankle), who has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Raiders, has been given an estimated recovery timeline of 2-to-4 weeks, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Impact Thomas was handed that timeline after recently receiving a second opinion on the high left ankle sprain he sustained in the Saints' season-opening win over the Buccaneers. While Thomas is seemingly in jeopardy of missing the Saints' Week 3 matchup with the Packers, Jay Glazer reported on Fox NFL Sunday earlier in the day that the star wideout is healing quicker than anticipated, giving him some hope of missing just one game due to the injury. Thomas' activity (or lack thereof) in practices Wednesday through Friday should provide a better idea regarding which direction he's trending heading into the game against Green Bay.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Healing quickly Thomas remains out for Monday's game against the Raiders, but his left high-ankle sprain is healing quicker than expected, Jay Glazer reported on "Fox NFL Sunday."

Impact Thomas's availability for next week's game against the Packers remains in question, but there's at least a glimmer of hope for the near future. The Saints are expected to rely on Alvin Kamara, Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook as their primary pass catchers Week 2.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Officially ruled out Thomas (ankle) has been ruled out for the Monday night matchup against the Raiders, Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact This always felt like the logical conclusion considering Thomas is expected to miss multiple weeks with a high left ankle sprain, but reports Thursday seemed to give the slightest of hope the star wideout would be available. With those thoughts dashed, New Orleans will turn to Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith to take on the bulk of the receiving work, with tight end Jared Cook, running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray and gadget player extraordinaire Taysom Hill all figuring in the offense.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Held out of practice again Thomas (ankle) didn't practice Friday.

Impact A Thursday report suggested Thomas was feeling much better and had a "glimmer of hope" to play in Monday's game at Las Vegas, but his continued absence from the practice field is considerably less promising. Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports that teammate Jared Cook has made two references to Thomas missing the upcoming game, so it appears the expectation around the team is that the superstar receiver will be out for at least one week. Given that he's dealing with a high-ankle sprain, a longer absence is also possible. Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith are preparing for larger roles, with Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris representing the depth options at wide receiver. It could also be a busy week for Cook and Alvin Kamara.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Small chance to play Monday Thomas (ankle) "felt fantastic" Thursday and there remains a "little glimmer of hope" he can play Monday at Las Vegas, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Impact The 27-year-old was expected to miss several weeks after testing earlier this week showed his high-ankle sprain was worse than expected, but he's apparently made significant progress over the past couple days. Thomas didn't participate at Thursday's practice despite the improvement, but he has two more days to return to the field in some capacity. He still seems unlikely to be available for Week 2, but his outlook for the near future appears better than previously believed.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Doesn't practice, as expected Thomas (ankle) was held out of practice Thursday.

Impact Thomas' lack of activity isn't a surprise because he's expected to be absent for multiple weeks as he tends to a high left ankle sprain. Consequently, the Saints will lean on Emmanuel Sanders, Jared Cook, Alvin Kamara and Tre'Quan Smith in the passing game.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Injury worse than expected Thomas is expected to miss several weeks after tests revealed that his high-ankle sprain is worse than expected, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact There were rumbles that Thomas may play through this injury, but those rumors have essentially been put to rest. If his injury is indeed serious enough to keep him out for multiple games, Thomas could be placed on IR, which would keep him out for at least three games. Emmanuel Sanders should be considered the Saints' No. 1 WR for the duration of Thomas' absence, and Tre'Quan Smith should enjoy an increase in usage as well.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Diagnosed with high-ankle sprain Thomas suffered a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's 34-23 win over the Buccaneers, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Impact Thomas reportedly believes the injury is something he can play through, so he can't yet be ruled out for next Monday's tilt in Las Vegas, but high-ankle issues have a notorious tendency to linger and curtail fantasy production. The superstar wideout was held to just three catches for 17 yards Week 1. If Thomas indeed is hampered for the near future or even forced to miss time, the Saints will count on Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith to pick up the slack at wide receiver.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Injures ankle in win Thomas caught three of five targets for 17 yards before injuring his ankle late in Sunday's 34-23 win over the Buccaneers, Mike Florio of NBC Sports reports.

Impact A disappointing day for the receiver potentially got worse when Alvin Kamara rolled up on his lower leg in garbage time. Thomas was able to hobble off the field under his own power and appeared to be OK in the locker room after the win, but he wasn't examined by team trainers. Assuming he's healthy, he should be able to put together better numbers in Week 2 against a Raiders secondary that got torched for 115 yards and a TD by Robby Anderson in its opener.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Looks sharp already Thomas connected with Drew Brees on some receptions early in Monday's practice, Amie Just of Nola.com reports.

Impact The two veterans appear to be picking up right where they left off last season when Thomas set an NFL record with 149 receptions. Offseason addition Emmanuel Sanders might siphon away a few targets, but Thomas is still arguably the safest option available in fantasy drafts at wide receiver.

AUGUST 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE