Team news: New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas returned to a limited practice on Thursday.

Thomas picked up a hamstring injury that caused him to be ruled out for Week 7, but his return to practice on a Thursday suggests that he may be able to get cleared for Week 8. His return to the practice field does not guarantee that he will be cleared, but it certainly leaves room for optimism. He was able to log a limited practice session today, and even if he is limited again tomorrow, he should be cleared to play. Thomas will be a WR1 against Chicago if he is cleared.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas still has not returned to practice according to reporters at the open portion of Wednesday's practice.

Thomas appeared on track to return last week, but ended up suffering a hamstring injury during practice so his absence was extended through Week 7. This report puts his Week 8 status into doubt with him missing practice entirely on a Wednesday due to a soft tissue injury. Teammate Emmanuel Sanders was also not at practice so the Saints may have to rely on Tre'Quan Smith and Jared Cook to catch passes again this week.

Saints WR Marquez Callaway left Sunday's game against the Panthers with an apparent ankle injury.

The wide receivers are dropping like flies in New Orleans. This is very unfortunate for a young player who was shining today in the absence of Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. He had eight catches for 75 yards before exiting. It puts a lot of pressure on Tre'Quan Smith and Dionte Harris on the outside.

Saints WR Michael Thomas has a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will miss 1-2 weeks.

It’s pretty likely now that Thomas will not play next week against the Chicago Bears. This means New Orleans will likely have another game next week without Thomas or Emmanuel Sanders, with Sanders recovering from COVID-19. Thomas was near a return from the ankle injury suffered in Week 1 but suffered the hamstring injury earlier this week in practice. Thomas, and perhaps Sanders, could be back for a huge Week 9 rematch with the Buccaneers.