Michael Thomas’ way back on the field will not be easy. The Saints receiver was placed on the list of physically unfit players before the start of training camp, the league said. Also on the PUP list is defensive end Marcus Davenport, whose 2021 season was cut short by a shoulder injury.
Davenport has also undergone multiple surgeries on his left pinky finger, which included a partial amputation, to treat a recurring infection related to an injury.
Thomas has since 17 January 2021 did not play an NFL game once more and tried to spend much of the ensuing offseason rehabilitating an ankle injury. That kept him from playing at all last season and has now led to another delayed start.
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen told reporters in late May that Thomas was “not ready yet.” New Orleans was without Thomas last season, relying on Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris. It was significant that running back Alvin Kamara finished third in receiving yards in what had been a poor year for him.
The Saints have since responded accordingly by signing Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry. A possible loss of Thomas would not be quite as serious, but the longer he feels his way back into the game, the more intense the questions regarding his future.
Davenport had a strong year in the shortened 2021 season with nine sacks in 11 games (nine starts). Unfortunately he hasn’t played a full season yet and it would help him a lot if he might repeat his performance from last season in 2022 over a full season.
Davenport certainly still has the chance to do so. But following coming off a medically difficult offseason, he will still need some time.
