Michael Thomas’ status is trending in the right direction for a Sunday return

The New Orleans Saints have been missing Michael Thomas since Week 1 as he’s dealt with a plethora of injury. In Week 8, he may finally return.

Michael Thomas seemed set to return in Week 5 but was instead suspended for disciplinary reasons. Since then, it’s also been noted that he’s been working through a hamstring injury as well.

It’s obvious the Saints aren’t the same team without Thomas on the field. The NFL’s 2019 Offensive Player of the Year has played in just one game this season, the team’s Week 1 opener against the Tom Brady-led Bucs.

At 4-2, the Saints will be taking on the Chicago Bears, who will likely be without Allen Robinson, this Sunday. Thomas’ status for the game is still up in the air, but he’s returned to practice which at least shows he’s trending in the right direction.

Thomas had the best season for a wide receiver in league history last year. He was that good, and while he’ll clearly have some regression in the numbers, the hope is that Thomas gets back to his old self in the second half of the season.

Originally out with a high-ankle sprain, Thomas has been nursing both injuries and may be primed to return just in time to help push the Saints to a nice 5-2 record. Against a stout defensive front in Chicago, a team with five wins on their record, the Saints would be thrilled if Thomas is available.

With Emmanuel Sanders out and on the Covid-19 list, the Saints, if Thomas is sidelined, will be left with Tre’Quan Smith as their No. 1 receiver.

The hope would then be that undrafted free agent Marquez Callaway, who has been a monster lately, steps up yet again. Deonte Harris would also get more run and even Taysom Hill may be some snaps out wide.

That said, let’s just cross out fingers the Saints finally get the league’s best receiver back on the field.