Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas returned to the practice field this week during OTA’s. The 2nd round pick and 2019 Offensive Player of the year has missed much of the last three seasons with injuries, but he’ll hope to pick up right where he left off under new quarterback Derek Carr. Thomas said he’s excited to get back to playing the game he loves.
“I love football. This is what I like to do. I enjoy football. This is where I spend my offseason trying to become a better football player. All my lifestyles from nutrition to off the field stuff to on the field stuff is all about just football and becoming a better player.”
Thomas has missed 40 of the Saints last 50 games, and many questioned his future with the Saints and relationship with the front office as he suffered injuries and setbacks keeping him off the field. Thomas, though, wouldn’t let his injuries stop him from improving.
“All eight months has just been finding ways to enhance my ability, even if it wasn’t just through the rehab things I could do but still working on my hands, working on my game, talking football, watching film, seeing things I could add, just working on my weaknesses, and trying to stay ready so I don’t have to get ready.”
Carr along with many in the organization has praised the wideout’s work ethic and approach to the game. Carr even said that Thomas and the conversations they had throughout the recruiting process was one of the key reasons he decided to come to New Orleans. He said injuries are just an unfortunate reality of the NFL.
“He’s such a worker that that’s probably why. Sometimes injuries happen when you play that hard and work that hard, and you don’t ever ask a guy like that to tone down. Keep going as long as you can. Just being around him, you talk to him on the phone, you feel like you can win a football game with just you two out there, and being around him now, he just brings that energy around him that you feel the same way.”
Head Coach Dennis Allen said the team would take it easy on Thomas for now, but he should be fully healthy for training camp.
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