Saints head coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that he's optimistic that Thomas (ankle) will be back from injured reserve in the minimum three weeks while returning at 100 percent health, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Payton noted that Thomas likely could have played through his lingering ankle injury at less than full strength while remaining productive, but the Saints opted to put him on IR over the weekend with an eye on getting the best version of the receiver for the postseason. Though Thomas' absence over the final three games of the regular season hinders the Saints' chances of claiming the NFC's No. 1 seed over the Packers, New Orleans remains in good shape to have home-field advantage in the wild-card and divisional rounds. With Thomas sidelined for the Week 15 loss to the Chiefs, Emmanuel Sanders (four receptions for 76 yards) led the Saints in receiving, and he'll likely continue to benefit from a bump in targets for the final two regular-season contests.

Thomas (ankle) has been officially placed on IR by the Saints.

EDGE Analysis

Deonte Harris (neck) also landed on IR on Saturday, which prompted the Saints to promote wideouts Juwan Johnson and Tommylee Lewis from the team's practice squad. With Thomas now confirmed to be done for the rest of the regular season, Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith will serve as New Orleans' top two wide receiver options down the stretch.

Thomas (ankle) is in line to be placed on injured reserve by the Saints, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

That ends a dreadful 2020 regular-season campaign for Thomas, who missed nine games in large part due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in Week 1 against the Bucs. The Saints haven't officially announced the IR move, but should the inevitable occur, the 27-year-old will be eligible to return for the opening round of the NFL playoffs toward the beginning of January.

The Saints ruled Thomas (ankle) out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Drew Brees (ribs) is expected to return from injured reserve, but he'll have to work without his top wide receiver. The Saints held Thomas out of practice all week, seemingly due to a setback with the ankle issue that caused a prolonged absence earlier this season. Emmanuel Sanders and Tre'Quan Smith should get the most wideout reps Sunday, with Alvin Kamara and Jared Cook also leading candidates to take on some of the vacated targets. Thomas has accounted for 29 percent of the Saints' targets in six games since he returned to action Week 9. The wideout's next chance to play will come in a rare Friday game in Week 16, with the Saints getting only four days of rest before they face the Vikings on Christmas Day.

Thomas (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday's practice, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

With another absence under his belt this week, Thomas may be trending in the wrong direction as the Saints prepare for Sunday's game versus the Chiefs. In the end, his listing on Friday's injury report will be telling with regard to his Week 15 availability. If Thomas is able to gut out the ankle injury that's followed him throughout the campaign, he could be working with Taysom Hill or Drew Brees (ribs), who was designated to return from IR on Wednesday.

Thomas (ankle) didn't take part in practice Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas was listed as limited on the first two Week 14 injury reports before a full session last Friday cleared him to play this past Sunday at Philadelphia. He remained Taysom Hill's clear-cut No. 1 receiver, hauling in all eight targets for 84 yards. With a downgrade in activity to begin this week, Thomas may just have received a maintenance day for the ankle that his hindered him for most of the campaign. Still, his status -- along with Drew Brees (ribs), who was designated to return from IR on Wednesday -- will be one to monitor closely as the weekend approaches.

Thomas caught all eight of his targets for 84 yards in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Eagles.

EDGE Analysis

It was a typically efficient line for Thomas as he led the Saints in catches and receiving yards. He's posted a 30-343-0 line on 37 targets over the four games started by Taysom Hill, but even if Drew Brees (ribs) is able to return in Week 15, Thomas figures to see heavy volume again as New Orleans hosts Patrick Mahomes and the high-octane Kansas City offense.

Thomas (ankle) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game in Philadelphia.

EDGE Analysis

Thomas was a limited practice participant Wednesday and Thursday before upgrading to full on Friday. He's the only guy on the Saints who has seen consistent target volume with Taysom Hill at quarterback, averaging 7.3 catches for 86.3 yards the past three weeks. Thomas could face shadow coverage from CB Darius Slay on Sunday, but that's not the same challenge it might have been a few years ago. DK Metcalf and Davante Adams feasted on Slay in Weeks 12 and 13, respectively.

Thomas (ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

EDGE Analysis

Again, Thomas' practice reps were capped this week, the residual effect of the ankle injury that sidelined him for six games earlier this season. His availability for game day isn't really in question, but he still could receive a designation on Friday's injury report. In any case, with Taysom Hill expected to start a fourth straight contest Sunday at Philadelphia, Thomas will look to continue his rapport with the signal-caller, which has resulted in two 100-yard efforts (but no touchdowns) so far.

Thomas (ankle) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The Saints opened their first session of Week 14 without Thomas on the field, but he must have made an appearance at some point to emerge with a cap on his reps. An ankle injury continues to be the culprit for his limitations in practice. Still, Thomas has been in top form in three games with Taysom Hill under center, racking up 22 catches (on 29 targets) for 259 yards and no touchdowns.