Saints WR Michael Thomas to miss entire season after setback with ankle injury

The New Orleans Saints will be without their starting quarterback the rest of the season. Now, they'll be without their top receiver, too.

Michael Thomas, who hasn't played in a single game this season as he was recovering from an ankle injury, announced Wednesday on Twitter that he will not be suiting up this season after he suffered a setback in his rehabilitation.

"I’ve always been a man of faith and these past few months my faith has truly been tested," Thomas wrote in the tweet. "As many of you know, early last season I injured my ankle and worked extremely hard over the next few months to get back in time to finish the season. Unfortunately, the rehab didn’t go as planned and earlier this offseason it was apparent I would need to have a procedure to repair the injury.

"Since then, the team and I have worked diligently, day and night to rehab and get me back on the field. Unfortunately, there has been another small setback which we will have to address. To my displeasure, I will not be able to make it back in time for this season but will do everything in my power to get back to the player I have always been. I know God doesn’t make mistakes so I will continue to follow in his path, and can’t wait to be back on the field in front of the best fans on the planet."

Saints coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that the setback was related to the offseason surgery that Thomas had and added that Thomas may need to have another procedure done.

This news comes just three days after starting quarterback Jameis Winston suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a 36-27 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Thomas, 28, is a three-time Pro Bowler, a two-time first-team All-pro and was the 2019 AP Offensive Player of the Year. He became the first receiver to win the award since Jerry Rice did so as a 49er in the 1993 season.

Thomas had been set to enter his sixth season in the league after his 2020 was limited with the ankle issue. In seven games, Thomas caught 40 passes for 438 yards with no touchdowns.

The Saints (5-2) have fared well in Thomas' absence overall, though the passing game hasn't been as productive. New Orleans ranks 31st in the NFL in passing yards per game, with 180.9. The team's leader in catches is running back Alvin Kamara with 28. The next closes, receiver Marquez Callaway has 19 and leads the Saints with 284 yards.

New Orleans hosts the NFC South-rival Atlanta Falcons (3-4) on Sunday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas to miss season with ankle injury