Former New Orleans Saints All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas has been suspended for the first game of the 2024 NFL season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. He was suspended in relation to an incident with a construction worker from last fall.
Thomas is currently a free agent, but won’t be eligible to play in Week 1 of the NFL season for any team.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 29: Lynn Bowden Jr. #5 of the New Orleans Saints, Rashid Shaheed #22 of the New Orleans Saints and Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints of the New Orleans Saints celebrate after Shaheed’s receiving touchdown during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thomas has been suspended to start the 2024 season.
Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Thomas was arrested last November and charged with simple battery and criminal mischief after he had a confrontation with a construction worker.
“The victim stated that Thomas began yelling at him about parking in front of his house and verbally threatened to harm him,” Kenner police Lt. Mark McCormick said in a press release at the time, via NFL.com. “The victim began recording the incident, which upset Thomas, who then picked up a brick and threw it at the windshield of the truck, causing little if any damage. Thomas then walked up to the victim, knocked the phone from his hands, shoved him and told him he did not want to be recorded.”
Thomas was arrested that Friday. Then, that Sunday, he suffered a knee injury on the first offensive play of the game. He wouldn’t play again in 2023.
Thomas later blamed a “bad ball” for the injury in a conversation on Twitter.
“Well if I didn’t get set up by a bad ball I probably would’ve had a light little 1k yards this year but could of should of I know I get it lol,” Thomas said on social media.
well if I didn’t get set up by a bad ball I probably would’ve had a light little 1k yards this year but could of should of I know I get it lol
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) January 28, 2024
When the person he responded to suggested a change of scenery, Thomas said, “on top of that they wasn’t even trying to get me the ball but it’s no denying my style of play it don’t age playa you will see.”
Thomas, 31, was once regarded as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. The three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro First Teamer set the record for most receptions by a player in a single season with 149 in 2019. That year, the peak of his career, he took home Offensive Player of the Year honors.
After 2019, injuries derailed Thomas’ career. He appeared in just 20 games from 2020-23, and had a steep decline as one of the league’s premier receivers.
Thomas has yet to find a new home for the 2024 season. However, he made it sound like he was interested in continuing to play during his January conversation on social media.
Now that there’s a resolution from the NFL in his case, maybe a team will give him a chance to join the roster in Week 2.
More News: Saints Claim Former All-Pro Off Waivers
