Football

Saints WR Michael Thomas out for season, says 'God doesn't make mistakes'

By Joshua Doering Nov 3, 2021
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)

New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas is going to have to wait a while longer to make his return to the field. The three-time Pro Bowler tweeted Wednesday morning that he is out for the season after another setback in his recovery from an ankle injury.

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Thomas started the tweet by acknowledging that the extended recovery has tested his faith.

“I’ve always been a man of faith and these past few months my faith has truly been tested,” he wrote. “As many of you know, early last season I injured my ankle and worked extremely hard over the next few months to get back in time to finish the season. Unfortunately the rehab didn’t go as planned and earlier this off-season it was apparent I would need to have a procedure to repair the injury.”

Thomas originally suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 of the 2020 season. He returned in Week 9 and played in six games before being placed on injured reserve.

The former Ohio State Buckeye averaged 70.2 receiving yards with zero touchdown receptions in those six games, a far cry from the 87.5 yards and 0.5 touchdowns per game he produced in his first four seasons.

Thomas ended the tweet by pointing to his faith again and declaring that he would continue to place his trust in God.

“I know God doesn’t make mistakes so I will continue to follow his path, and can’t wait to be back on the field in front of the best fans on the planet,” he said.

Thomas’ faith in Christ dates back to his childhood, when his grandmother would encourage him to read the Bible and pray every day. One specific verse stood out to him: Matthew 22:14, which says, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (KJV).

Since being drafted by New Orleans in the second round of the 2016 draft, Thomas has cemented his place among the best receivers in the league. The injury last year broke a streak of four consecutive 1,100-yard seasons, which included leading the NFL in receptions twice.

In 2019, he hauled in a single-season record 149 passes for 1,725 yards. He gave thanks to God on the field and on social media after breaking the record:

Thomas has been consistent in deflecting praise back to God and handling his success with humility throughout his career.

“I know this,” he told the Bleacher Report in 2018, pointing to his chest, “is not me. I’m here for a reason. I consider myself chosen.”

Thomas’ news is the latest development in what’s been an extremely challenging start to the week for the 5-2 Saints. The injury quarterback Jameis Winston suffered in Sunday’s 36-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was diagnosed as a torn ACL on Monday, ending his season as well.

The Saints host the Atlanta Falcons this Sunday before beginning a tough four-game stretch that includes road games against the Tennessee Titans (6-2) and Philadelphia Eagles (3-5), followed by home primetime games against the Buffalo Bills (5-2) and Dallas Cowboys (6-1).

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