Sean Payton shares update on Michael Thomas’ recovery

Sean Payton shares update on Michael Thomas’ recovery

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The New Orleans Saints left most of their injured teammates back home to continue resting up, but one notable player on the mend made the trip for their preseason opener on the road. Michael Thomas was spotted on the Saints sideline during their game with the Baltimore Ravens, and he looked like someone eager to shed his walking boot and get to work. By the third quarter, he was catching passes.

Sean Payton spoke briefly about Thomas making the trip during his postgame press conference, telling the Athletic’s Katherine Terrell that Thomas joined the team after receiving treatment in Philadelphia. Payton said Thomas is doing well and is ahead of schedule in recovery; previous reports outlined his return by New Orleans’ Week 6 bye.

“But it wasn’t this big Kumbaya moment or anything like that,” Payton added, downplaying the emotional value in having one of his team’s best players back in the fold. Payton and Thomas recently buried the hatchet in a private meeting, though he said any details of that conservation, “is between he and I.”

Thomas was clearly excited to back with the team, and they were just as obviously happy to have him around. And for good reason. The only other wide receiver to win NFL Offensive Player of the Year is in the Hall of Fame right now. Thomas and the Saints are better together, and for now, getting him back to full speed is their shared focus.

[listicle id=47920]