ESPN.com's Mike Triplett confirms that Thomas, who underwent ankle surgery in June, could miss the start of the 2021 regular season.

EDGE Analysis

Meanwhile, based on the timing of and typical recovery period associated with the procedure to repair ligaments in Thomas' ankle, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggests the Saints' star receiver "could be on the sideline for weeks" as the coming campaign opens. It remains to be seen if the team will outline a specific timetable for Thomas' return to action, but when approaching drafts and auctions, fantasy managers will have to factor in the possibility the wideout could either miss time or be hampered early on this season. With that in mind, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network relays that the Saints have been checking in on free agent wide receivers of late and are expected to work out a few in short order. Currently next up in the team's WR pecking order are Tre'Quan Smith, Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway.

Thomas is expected to miss the start of the season as he works his way back from ankle surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas took part in the Saints' June minicamp, which led to optimism that he'd be ready to go by the start of the season; however, as evidenced by this news, that was apparently a premature assumption. The procedure, which he underwent earlier in June, carries a recommended recovery timeline of four months, so Thomas may not see the field until October.

Thomas participated in June minicamp, though he continues to get scans and treatment on his surgically repaired ankle, Rod Walker of nola.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

A report in January suggested Thomas would need ankle and shoulder surgeries during the offseason after missing nine games in 2020. Participation in June minicamp suggests he's well on his way to a Week 1 appearance, even if the Saints decide to ease him into action during training camp. The bigger question is whether Thomas will catch most of his passes from Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill this season, with the Saints hosting a job battle at QB. An offense led by Hill likely would throw fewer passes, but either way, Thomas and Alvin Kamara will be the priorities -- even more so after the team lost TE Jared Cook and WR Emmanuel Sanders in the offseason.

Thomas (ankle) restructured his contract to create $8.7 million in cap space for the Saints, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was inevitable considering the ever-lasting salary-cap hole the Saints continue to climb out of. Perhaps more importantly, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports Thomas' cap hit will now exceed $24 million in each of the next three seasons, essentially locking in the star wide receiver with the team for the foreseeable future. It's also likely the Saints will have to continually revisit the contract in upcoming years similar to what the team did with quarterback Drew Brees throughout the later stages of his career.

Thomas is expected to undergo surgeries on his shoulder and left ankle this offseason, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas has a torn deltoid in his shoulder and injured ligaments in the upper part of his ankle. The ankle issues caused him to miss nine games in 2020, and this report from Schefter suggests he might've sat out longer if he hadn't been so eager for a Super Bowl push in what was expected to be Drew Brees' final NFL season. The campaign had a disappointing finish -- both for Thomas individually and the Saints as a whole --- but there were some encouraging developments along the way, including Taysom Hill completing 71.9 percent of his passes in four starts. Thomas averaged 7.5 catches for 85.8 yards on 9.3 targets in those four games, and he was even more productive in 2019 when Teddy Bridgewater played QB for New Orleans. The soon-to-be 28-year-old wideout should continue to put up big numbers even if Brees retires, though he will face an added challenge heading into 2021, likely missing part of the offseason program or even training camp while he rehabs from multiple surgeries.

Thomas was targeted four times and did not record a reception in Sunday's season-ending 30-20 loss to the Buccaneers.

EDGE Analysis

In a shocking turn of events, last season's reception leader was held without a catch for a full game as a starter for the first time in his career. Drew Brees and the Saints' coaching staff clearly wanted to focus on shorter drop backs and quicker throws to combat Tampa Bay's aggressive blitzing defense, but that still doesn't excuse the lack of involvement Thomas received, as he is an elite route runner at all three levels. Perhaps the 27-year-old was still being hampered by the high-ankle sprain that cost him four games at the end of the regular season; whatever the case, it was a disappointing end to a rough 2020 campaign for the All-Pro wideout. Thomas was limited to seven contests during the regular season due to injuries and off-field conduct, finishing with career lows in receptions (40), yards (438) and touchdowns (zero). Unlike his fellow playmaking star, Alvin Kamara, Thomas could benefit from Drew Brees' potential retirement this offseason, as the legendary quarterback saw his arm strength and deep accuracy fall off of a cliff this year. If the Saints are forced to look for a new starting quarterback in 2021, we could see a different version of Michael Thomas that sacrifices reception volume for a big boost in yards per reception.

Thomas secured five of seven targets for 73 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 21-9 win over the Bears on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Back in action after three games on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, Thomas stepped up for a big game in the postseason victory. He secured an 11-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter when he caught a short pass over the middle and pushed through defenders into the end zone. The ankle injury seems to be behind him, and he'll look to build on this strong showing in the NFC divisional round when the Saints host the Buccaneers.

The Saints activated Thomas (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

EDGE Analysis

After missing the last three games of the regular season due to a high-ankle sprain, Thomas progressed enough since his practice window opened Wednesday to be available for the Saints' playoff opener Sunday. It'll be interesting to see if he can handle his typical workload of 7.9 targets per game from the current campaign, but if he does he'll have a good chance to profit against a Bears defense that has allowed 8.3 YPT to wide receivers this season (12th worst in the NFL).

The Saints designated Thomas (ankle) to return from injured reserve Wednesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas was sidelined for the final three games of the regular season as he tended to a high-ankle sprain. With Wednesday's move, New Orleans has the next three days to determine whether he's fit to be activated in time for Sunday's wild-card game against the Bears. Alvin Kamara (illness) currently is on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so if the running back is unavailable again this weekend and Thomas is cleared to play, he'll no doubt be the apple of Drew Brees' eye as the Saints open the postseason.

Thomas (ankle) is expected to rejoin the Saints for practice Wednesday as a limited participant, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

After missing the Saints' final three regular-season games with a high-ankle sprain, Thomas is eligible to return from injured reserve this week as New Orleans prepares for its wild-card matchup Sunday versus the Bears. The Saints have yet to designate Thomas for a return from IR, but Rapoport's report suggests that will happen later Wednesday. According to Rapoport, Thomas is gradually expected to ramp up his activity throughout the week with the hope of suiting up against Chicago, but his return to game action is not locked in at this stage. Per Mike Triplett of ESPN.com, coach Sean Payton said the Saints likely won't have a good feel for Thomas' status for the postseason opener until later in the week, after the team has a chance to see how his ankle responds to practice work.