The Saints desperately need Michael Thomas to play in Week 9

Michael Thomas is back practicing, but he is set to return for the first time in two months as the New Orleans Saints head to Tampa for their Week 9 matchup.

The New Orleans Saints will be taking the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Sunday.

Yet another primetime game for the Saints, their roster may finally near full strength as future first-ballot Hall of Famer quarterback Drew Brees is set to play after being on the injury report early in the week.

Shockingly, Michael Thomas is set to play as well.

Thomas has been out since Week 1, when the team played and defeated the Bucs the first time around. He’s been nursing both a hamstring injury and a high-ankle sprain since while also being suspended one game over disciplinary matters.

Thomas was the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. He set the league record for receptions in a season and set a season-high in yards as well.

His impact is highly important for the Saints, a team that’s trailed in every game this season. Having won their last four by one score, the Saints have struggled to get by several of their games this season.

Thomas on the field would’ve been the difference-maker in many of them. With Emmanuel Sanders and Marquez Callaway also progressing well, the Saints may finally have their receiving corps at full strength.

That should make the team even more dangerous than they already are with Alvin Kamara soaking up much of the usage.

New Orleans, with Kamara out of the backfield as seemingly their go-to play, needs to diversify their offense a bit more, and Thomas will give them the threat that they need to do just that.

With Antonio Brown playing his first game with the Bucs in Week 9, the New Orleans may be involved in a shootout, and to keep base with the ultra-hot Bucs, the Saints may need their receiving corps healthy and active.