Michael Thomas will play today, finally, a comeback a year in the making. He's looked great in camp. https://t.co/vgmYPGwXzg
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2022
There it is. Everything we’ve seen with our own eyes suggested Michael Thomas would make his long-anticipated return for the New Orleans Saints in Sunday’s Week 1 game with the Atlanta Falcons, and now that’s becoming reality. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Thomas will play in Atlanta’s season opener.
This follows earlier reporting from ESPN’s Adam Schefter overnight Saturday, who said that Thomas “is expected to play” against the Falcons. Rapoport previously reported that the All-Pro receiver “is likely to play” but later tossed aside that pretense to confirm his return.
So he’s hearing that Thomas will hit the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Obviously nothing is official until the inactive list drops 90 minutes before kickoff at noon CT, but all signs and reporting points towards Thomas making his debut at the start of the 2022 season. He’s been limited on the injury report all week with a hamstring issue and was officially listed as questionable to play. Whether Thomas will be limited to a pitch count or a reduced role on offense remains to be seen.
Still, this has to feel cathartic. Thomas lost nearly two prime years of his playing career to a difficult ankle injury that didn’t respond well to surgery and led to several setbacks. His prolonged absence has been frustrating for all involved. So we’ll be watching for his first reception on Sunday to finally put all that behind him.
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