Saints HC Dennis Allen said WR Michael Thomas is making "significant progress" in his recovery from his lingering ankle injury. “I’m good with where Mike Thomas is,” Allen said. “I would much rather him be 100 percent healthy and out here and all those kinds of things, but that’s not where we’re at right now. He is busting his tail to get himself ready to go, and I feel like he’s making significant progress. I think mentally he’s in a great place and, again, we’re just going to let that process play out and get him healthy. And look, we have a long time to go before we play a game. … I’m not looking for a huge jump, I just want to see him keep getting a little better every day.” Thomas won't participate in this week's minicamp, though, and we still have no timetable for his return to the field. He's a risky fantasy pick until we know that the ankle issue is behind him.

Saints HC Dennis Allen told reporters Thursday that WR Michael Thomas "isn't ready yet," according to John Hendrix of SI.com. Allen added that he expects to have Thomas back in time for training camp. That kind of report on a veteran this time of year is often not a big deal, but Thomas missed all of last season with an ankle injury that dates all the way back to Week 1 of 2020. So we'll consider him high risk at least until he's back on the field -- and probably even after that.

Saints HC Dennis Allen said Friday that WR Michael Thomas is still working his way back from the ankle issue that cost him the entire 2021 season. "There's still a few hurdles that we've got to climb," Allen said, adding it's his "hope" that Thomas is ready for Week 1. Thomas suffered 2 separate injuries to that left ankle. He had 1 surgery last June and and might have had a 2nd in the wintertime. It's concerning not only that he's still rehabbing, but that Allen wouldn't even commit to him being ready for the start of the season. We'll continue to keep a close eye on the situation.

WR Michael Thomas is expected back with the Saints for the 2022 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Thomas, of course, missed all of 2021 after undergoing a pair of ankle surgeries. Rapoport adds that Thomas had another setback at some point and spent a bunch of time in New York getting weekly treatment. But he's back in New Orleans now and will seemingly be ready for the start of the offseason program. We'll keep an eye on Thomas, along with the rest of the Saints' Sean Payton-less offense.

The Saints named Dennis Allen their new HC. The 49-year-old has 8 seasons of experience as an NFL DC, including the last 7 with the Saints. He made it just a little over 2 seasons as Raiders HC from 2012 to 2014, winning just 8 of 36 games before getting fired 4 weeks into the 2014 campaign. We'll see if he fares better in his 2nd try. And we'll see who he tabs to run the offense in the post-Sean Payton era.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the new ankle injury for Saints WR Michael Thomas will keep him out for the rest of the season. New Orleans reportedly tried to trade for receiving help before Tuesday's deadline but couldn't get anything done. That leaves Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris as the top WRs for QB Taysom Hill going forward. Expect New Orleans to also lean heavily on Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram -- both in the run game and as pass-catchers (well, Kamara, at least, on that front).

Saints WR Michael Thomas is dealing with a "new and separate ankle injury," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Thomas, of course, has yet to play this season after undergoing ankle surgery this spring. Thomas recently visited a specialist and his timeline for return is "unpredictable," Rapoport adds. We'll continue to monitor the situation, but Thomas is not a must-hold on fantasy rosters.

Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle) is still "a few weeks away," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Thomas is eligible to come off the PUP list this week, but it sounds like we shouldn't expect him to play vs. the Seahawks on Sunday. If you've stashed Thomas up until now, though, keep stashing.

Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle) is expected to be placed on the reserve PUP list, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. That'd keep Thomas out for at least the first 6 weeks of the season. New Orleans does have a Week 6 bye, so it's possible that Thomas only misses 5 games. None of this comes as a surprise after NFL Network's Ian Rapoport pinpointed Week 7 as Thomas' earliest potential return back in July.

QB Jameis Winston has been named the Saints' starter, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Winston and QB Taysom Hill seemed to play to a draw in training camp, but Winston won this job with his 123-yard, 2-TD performance in Monday night's preseason game vs. Jacksonville. Having Winston under center is good news for RB Alvin Kamara and New Orleans' WRs. But Winston himself isn't a very attractive fantasy option. He'll be working with an underwhelming group of pass catchers until WR Michael Thomas returns. And Hill still figures to steal snaps, especially in the red zone.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirms that Saints QB Jameis Winston "appears well-positioned to start opening day vs. Green Bay." HC Sean Payton has yet to officially name a starter, but it'd be a surprise if it wasn't Winston after his impressive showing in the 2nd preseason game. "Winston is receiving significant locker-room support this week for the Saints starting QB job, with many teammates treating him as if he is the starter or giving indications he will get the job," Fowler adds. If you're drafting this weekend, assume Winston is the Saints' starter. He's not an appealing fantasy option -- but Winston being under center is good news for RB Alvin Kamara and the rest of New Orleans' skill guys.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport hears that Saints WR Michael Thomas (ankle) will debut in Week 7 this season "if everything goes perfect." Thomas elected not to undergo surgery on that ankle immediately after the season, evidently hoping it'd heal with rest and rehab. But he ended up having "major surgery" in early June, per Rapoport, and will need at least 4 months to recover. Thomas is expected to open the season on the PUP list, with the hope that he'll be ready to go following the Saints' Week 6 bye. And that sounds like the best-case scenario. He'll also miss a ton of valuable practice reps with QBs Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill. Thomas has gone from a value pick in Round 3 of fantasy drafts to a guy that you're probably better off just passing on unless you can land him super late.

Saints WR Michael Thomas is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season after June ankle surgery, according to NFL Network's ian Rapoport. Thomas reportedly needed ligaments repaired in the ankle, stemming from last September's injury. "It simply never recovered," Rapoport reports. Doctors reportedly recommend a 4-month recovery. From a June surgery date, that would stretch into October -- potentially costing Thomas half the season. We'll keep an eye out for more details. For now, at least, the Saints' top wideout becomes no more than a late-round fantasy pick. Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and other Saints pass-catchers obviously stand to see their opportunities increase. We'll also see whether New Orleans dips into the trade market for WR help. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the team has been "nosing around" available free agents at the position.

Update: The Athletic reports that Thomas "may miss up to five games."

Saints HC Sean Payton admitted that the team is still monitoring the ankle injury that cost WR Michael Thomas 9 games last year. “We still monitor it, pay attention to it, scan it, and all those things," Payton said. "He’s getting treatment and doing the things necessary. So, so far, so good.” It's slightly concerning that the issue isn't completely behind Thomas. But he's participating in minicamp, so the Saints obviously aren't too worried. Thomas remains a nice value pick in the 3rd round of fantasy drafts.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport's "read" is that Jameis Winston has the "leg up" on the Saints' starting QB job. Rapoport adds that there will be a competition between Winston and Taysom Hill this summer but that Winston "really impressed in practice" last year. Hill reportedly stepped in when Drew Brees went down only because HC Sean Payton had promised Hill that he'd get an opportunity. This will be 1 of the biggest training camp battles to track -- not only for Winston and Hill's fantasy values, but also Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara's.