New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas participates in 11-on-11 drills for first time since 2020

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas took the next step in his return to football on Saturday.

Thomas participated in 11-on-11 drills for the first time since the end of the 2020 season, continuing a ramp-up process that has been ongoing since the offseason started. Thomas was only a spectator at OTAs in June, but he was able to practice on Day 1 of training camp and returned to 7-on-7 drills on Wednesday.

So far it's been all positive signs for his recovery from the injury to his left ankle, which required surgery to repair a torn deltoid and other injured ligaments. Thomas has not been at 100 percent since he was injured in the 2020 season opener and has not been a full participant in practice since the end of that season.

Thomas missed the 2021 offseason after having surgery on the ankle and did not return to play during the regular season last year after a midseason setback.

Saints coach Dennis Allen said on Friday that Thomas' return to team drills was coming «soon,» something he joked about on Saturday.

«I told you it was coming sooner rather than later right?» he joked.

Allen said Saturday was a good day for Thomas to build confidence in the strength of his ankle.

«Honestly there was a couple of times he ended up on the ground,» Allen said. «That's all part of the process in building that confidence. I think he's in a good mindset right now, I think he looks good physically. I'm excited about where he's at.»

Thomas began the first set of team drills on Saturday with a pass from quarterback Jameis Winston, then later attempted a catch down the sideline from Winston that was broken up by cornerback Paulson Adebo. He caught another pass from Winston that was fumbled and recovered by safety Tyrann Mathieu,