ESPN.com's Mike Triplett confirms that Thomas, who underwent ankle surgery in June, could miss the start of the 2021 regular season.
Meanwhile, based on the timing of and typical recovery period associated with the procedure to repair ligaments in Thomas' ankle, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggests the Saints' star receiver "could be on the sideline for weeks" as the coming campaign opens. It remains to be seen if the team will outline a specific timetable for Thomas' return to action, but when approaching drafts and auctions, fantasy managers will have to factor in the possibility the wideout could either miss time or be hampered early on this season. With that in mind, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network relays that the Saints have been checking in on free agent wide receivers of late and are expected to work out a few in short order. Currently next up in the team's WR pecking order are Tre'Quan Smith, Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway.