Somehow, the New Orleans Saints remains one of the NFL’s top scorers, despite a revolving door of options on the wide receiver. Sean Payton’s team is fifth in points scored per game (29.9) and ninth in yards won per game (5.8), as well as sixth best in the third downhill (converting 44.8% of his attempts) and within the red zone (scoring 71.4% of plays that ran within the opposite 20-yard line).
You could even say that they did it all without their best player, Michael Thomas – the current Offensive Player of the Year – and with Drew Brees away from the pitch for more than a month due to injuries. And Payton is looking forward to seeing his attack fully armed, healthy and ready to make another statement after defeating the Minnesota Vikings 52-33 on Christmas Day.
“When the time comes, I hope it will be sooner or later, there are a handful of players who are looking forward to returning to this formation,” said Payton on WWL Radio, via Amie Just from Nola.com. Payton added that these are Pro Bowl, quality All-Pro players on their way back: meaning wide receivers Michael Thomas and Deonte Harris.
Thomas has been dealing with unexpected and prolonged problems with his ankle sprain at week 1 all year long, and the decision to put him on ice was made after reality set in. The saints could not have their cake and eat it too; Thomas was unable to recover while he was still playing injured. The only way to return to full strength would be to rest. And Harris was slow to return from a neck injury at the end of the season, although he made some progress in practice before New Orleans forced him to recover.
Their return would mean a lot to a position group that was completely beheaded by injuries. Of the five wide receivers that opened the season in the 53-man squad, only two remain: Emmanuel Sanders, who lost two games on the COVID-19 reserve, and debutant Marquez Callaway, who returned last week from an injured reserve.
Thomas, Harris, Tre’Quan Smith and Bennie Fowler are all on the same wounded reserve list, meaning the Saints have been combing the exemption cord and free agent pool to add reserves like Jake Kumerow and Jake Lampman just to fill a few minutes in practice. It’s not exactly the supporting cast New Orleans hoped to send Drew Brees into the postseason, but help is on the way.