Former NFL head doctor gives insight on Michael Thomas injury timeline

New Orleans Saints All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas will start off the season on the physically unable to perform or PUP list. Doctor David J. Chao from Pro Football Doc gave a brief assessment on when Thomas will be back on the field for New Orleans this season.

Thomas on the PUP list

“… He’s now officially been placed on reserve PUP, which means he does not count against the 53-man New Orleans Saints roster,” opened Chao. “He is eligible to come back after six weeks and the Saint have an early bye, so he could miss only five games, as some are saying.”

There are two key things about being placed on the PUP list. The first is that a player is ineligible to play for the first six weeks of the season. This gives the player and organization at least six weeks to get the player fully healed without rushing but also means they can’t return before that timeframe. The other thing is that the player does not take up a roster spot. This allows the team to fill the spot with a player capable of being used in games.

Cause to say out longer than six weeks

 “But we continue to believe it will be longer than that. Given the June ligament repair surgery, not clean up, ligament repair surgery, it is our belief that he will miss at least the front half of the season,” said Chao. “It would be good news if he could return early for the back half of the season at 100 percent.”

Because Thomas had to have a ligament repaired, the recovery time will likely be longer than if they just had to clean up scar tissue in the affected area. And when it comes to repairing ligaments in the legs, recovery time is longer than that of the upper torso. The reason being your legs bearing your body’s weight fully, unlike an arm, shoulder, or torso.

“Just because someone is eligible to come off of PUP at six weeks, doesn’t mean they will. It can extend into December. Let’s hope not, but let’s also not count on Michael Thomas right at week six…” Chao said in closing.

The Saints rushing Thomas back from this injury would be risky as Chao pointed out. Receivers are constantly making acrobatic catches and their feet help in that department. Not only that, but sharp route running and agility require healthy feet. So, a receiver’s feet are equally as important as their hands. For both parties, the best-case scenario is for Thomas to fully recover and be 100-percent ready when he comes back, and according to Chao that could take longer than six weeks.

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