New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is done for the 2021 season after a setback recovering from the ankle injury he initially sustained last season.
Thomas said over social media early Wednesday morning he will need another procedure on the ankle.
“As many of you know, early last season I injured my ankle and worked extremely hard over the next few months to get back in time to finish the season,” Thomas wrote on Twitter. “Unfortunately the rehab didn’t go as planned and earlier this offseason it was apparent I would need to have a procedure to repair the injury.
“Since then, the team and I have worked diligently, day and night to rehab and get me back on the field. Unfortunately, there has been another small setback which we will have to address. To my displeasure, I will not be able to make back in time for this season but will do everything in my power to get back to the player I have always been.”
Thomas underwent ankle surgery in June, reportedly infuriating Saints management who thought the procedure should have been done earlier in the offseason.
The friction was extended by Thomas, who in August took to social media to accuse the Saints of trying to damage his reputation.
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.
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–Field Level Media