Reports: Michael Thomas joining Saints for preseason game

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas will be on the sideline Saturday when his team visits the Baltimore Ravens for a preseason game, multiple media outlets reported.

Thomas will not be playing in the contest after undergoing ankle surgery in June, yet reports earlier in the week underscored discord between the player and team before he showed up for mandatory minicamp.

Earlier this week, Thomas took to social media to accuse the Saints of trying to damage his reputation over his ankle injury.

Thomas’ tweet on Monday came two days after The Times-Picayune reported that Saints’ officials were displeased with Thomas for his decision to elect rehab over surgery until June. Further, Thomas reportedly ignored offseason calls from the Saints checking in on his progress with rehab.

Thomas injured the ankle in Week 1 of the 2020 season and played in just seven games, finishing with 40 catches for 438 yards and no touchdowns.

Thomas, 28, is a three-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All-Pro. He set the league’s single-season record in 2019 with 149 receptions for a league-best 1,725 yards.

Thomas signed a five-year, $96.3-million contract extension in 2019. He is due to earn $12.6 million in 2021 between base salary and a restructured bonus.

–Field Level Media