Report: Saints' Thomas to land on PUP list, miss at least 5 games

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is expected to land on the physically unable to perform list, sidelining him for the first six weeks of the 2021 season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Saints have a bye in Week 6, which means Thomas will miss at least five games and could potentially return against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 25.

Thomas, who underwent surgery during the offseason, is coming off an injury-plagued campaign that limited him to seven regular-season appearances. The three-time Pro Bowler reportedly ignored calls from his coaches for three months before rejoining the Saints in June, and the team subsequently discovered he needed ankle surgery.

Drafted in the second round in 2016, the Ohio State product quickly established himself as one of the NFL's top pass-catchers, leading the league in receptions twice. Thomas was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after topping the NFL with 1,725 receiving yards and setting a single-season record with 149 catches.

The 28-year-old signed a five-year, $96.25-million extension in July 2019, but he caught only 40 passes for 438 yards in 2020.

With Thomas sidelined, Marquez Callaway and Tre'Quan Smith are expected to carry the load at wide receiver for the Saints, who recently tabbed Jameis Winston as their starting quarterback over Taysom Hill.

Elsewhere on the offense, New Orleans tight ends Adam Trautman and Nick Vannett were injured during the preseason. Although both reportedly avoided major injuries, they're at risk of missing multiple games.

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