Healthy Winston, Thomas ready “to ball” for Saints

METAIRIE – Mike Thomas practiced.

Then Mike Thomas answered questions from reporters.

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It was an eventful morning as the New Orleans Saints held their first training camp practice Wednesday.

Thomas hadn’t practiced since the 2020 season when he played in just seven games because of an ankle injury he suffered in the season opener.

He hadn’t spoken to reporters since the 2020 season either.

He played through the injury before going on injured reserve for the final three games of the regular season and the playoffs.

He had surgery last June, forcing him to miss training camp and the early part of the season. He had a second surgery last November, forcing him to miss the rest of the season.

Thomas recently was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform List because of the expectation that he wouldn’t be full speed for practice right away.

But Wednesday morning he tested the ankle. Then he practiced. Then he spoke.

Back 💪@Cantguardmike #Saints pic.twitter.com/XVEj15p7M7

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 27, 2022

Thomas said he met with head coach Dennis Allen and executive vice president of football Mickey Loomis on Tuesday.

“They told me what they were expecting me to do, what they needed me to do, what they needed to see,” Thomas said. “I had a workout this morning, did what I had to do.”

Thomas said the ankle feels the best it has felt since he injured it 682 days earlier. He said he’s “very confident” that he’ll be able to play as well as he did before the injury.

"I'm at a loss for words… It's a blessing to be out there with the guys."

–@Cantguardmike pic.twitter.com/kpDskyfcyO

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 27, 2022

When Thomas was last healthy in 2019 he set an NFL record with 149 receptions, accumulating 1,725 receiving yards, scoring nine touchdowns, and was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

The injury happened in September of 2020, Thomas last appeared in a game on December 13 and the Saints season ended January 17, 2021. Thomas had the first surgery in June of 2021.

On the eve of training camp a year ago, then coach Sean Payton said the surgery “should have” happened sooner than June.

Thomas never explained why he waited so long to have surgery. On Wednesday he was given the opportunity to explain.

“We can put it to rest right now,” Thomas said.

He said he saw multiple doctors and received two opinions – one was that the ligament damage required surgery. Another was that “you can rehab your ankle and it should be good by camp,” he said.

Thomas noted that he had never had a major injury in his career, nor had he ever had surgery.

“You have the right to pick an opinion,” Thomas said.

He chose the non-surgical option.

“If that one doesn’t work, then I’m gonna go with the second one,” Thomas said. “And that’s pretty much how it worked. I don’t write the opinion, I just have to pick one.”

When it became clear that the rehab option wasn’t working, Thomas had the surgery.

Ultimately the second surgery was required.

And here we are.

Quarterback Jameis Winston spoke with reporters before Thomas did.

Winston, like Thomas, is coming off a major injury.

He had reconstructive knee surgery last November, participated in off-season practices on a limited basis and, like Thomas, was ready to go Wednesday morning.

"Grateful for another opportunity to play football."

–@Jaboowins pic.twitter.com/bthTVGErkt

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 27, 2022

Winston played in just seven games last season – the number Thomas played in a year earlier – and was injured against his former team (Tampa Bay), the same team against which Thomas was injured.

Both players watched helplessly as their teammates fell short in an attempt to win a fifth consecutive NFC South title, their season ending just short of the playoffs with a 9-8 record.

Winston said because of all that he and Thomas have “a parallel relationship.”

"Jameis is the ultimate competitor… He always brings that energy and passion and we feed off that."

–@Cantguardmike pic.twitter.com/nNE7unWXTO

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 27, 2022

On Wednesday that relationship entered a new phase as they practiced together for the first time since Winston won the starting job last training camp.

“Now,” the quarterback said, “it’s just time to go out there and ball together.”