Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints will be without Michael Thomas when they host the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, but it isn’t only a gimpy ankle that is keeping the star wide receiver out.
ESPN reported Sunday afternoon that Thomas had “an altercation” with a teammate at practice and is being benched for disciplinary reasons.
NFL Network then reported that Thomas punched teammate Chauncey Gardner-Johnson during a fight in practice.
The Saints officially ruled out Thomas on Sunday afternoon, citing his status as “out/not injury related.”
Thomas had been listed as questionable with a left ankle injury and was limited during practice in the week. He sustained a left ankle injury in the Saints’ season-opening victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 13.
The 27-year-old Thomas led the NFL in both receptions (single-season-record 149 catches) and receiving yards (1,725) in 2019.
A two-time All-Pro selection and the league’s 2019 Offensive Player of the Year, Thomas racked up 1,000 or more receiving yards in each of the four seasons since being drafted in the second round in 2016 out of Ohio State.
