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Michael Thomas 2023 Outlook: Veteran Receiver Still Has Injury Risk
2 years agoNew Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (toe) is preparing for a pivotal prove-it season as he looks to bounce back from a sequence of injuries. The veteran wideout has played in just three games over the last two years and hasn't been fully healthy since finishing as the WR1 overall in 2019. He did show flashes of potential when on the field last season, catching 16 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns. He also totaled a 20 percent target share, 10.5 ADOT, +16.2 EPA, and 0.46 fantasy points per route run. Even as he faces competition from budding youngster Chris Olave, Thomas' stats suggest that he could be a viable fantasy receiver in 2023, especially now that Derek Carr has been inserted into the offense. However, the burning question remains: can Thomas stay healthy? The Saints believe he'll be ready for training camp, but we've heard this same story before, only to have him fall behind schedule or re-injure himself. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status as drafts get closer. For now, based on the assumption that he'll be ready to suit up alongside Olave in Week 1, he's actually a decent value at his ADP of 116 (WR48).
