It’s not an NFL Sunday without a little New Orleans Saints drama — even after the team’s season has ended. Michael Thomas stirred the pot while chatting with fans on social media about his rough 2023 campaign, sharing his take on the season-ending knee injury.
Thomas said that he “probably would’ve had a light little (1,000) yards this year” had he not injured his knee early in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings, but he didn’t take the blame for getting hurt. Instead, he pointed to quarterback Derek Carr, saying he had been “set up by a bad ball.”
It was a rough play. The ball was thrown high and behind him, so Thomas had to adjust by turning his back to the defensive back and extending vertically to reach the ball. Vikings corner Akayleb Evans collided with him, tangling their legs, and one of Thomas’ cleats caught in the turf on his way down, awkwardly twisting his knee. He exited the game and did not return.
On top of that, Thomas says the Saints weren’t making an effort to get him the ball. After being targeted 7, 8, 7, and 7 times, he was thrown to only once the week before this Vikings game. He averaged a career-low 3.9 receptions and 44.8 yards per game last season prior to his injury, putting him pace for just 66 catches and 761 yards over 17 games. That had to be disappointing after Thomas played a key role recruiting Carr to New Orleans, a signing which he celebrated on social media. Thomas compared Carr to Drew Brees after they first practiced together.
Unfortunately, Carr isn’t effective throwing passes on the routes that Thomas runs best: in-breaking crossers and slants where he can use his physicality and large frame to bully smaller defenders. His scattershot accuracy got his receivers hurt throughout the season; Rashid Shaheed suffered a quad strain and Chris Olave sprained his ankle when adjusting to off-target passes. It’s disappointing that it’s come to this but Thomas is right to feel this way. If Carr had thrown a better ball (and thrown his way more often), he may have enjoyed more success in 2023. Instead, Thomas is very likely playing elsewhere in 2024.
