New Orleans Saints

Despite some indications there is a rift between the New Orleans Saints and Michael Thomas due to the timing of his knee surgery, the two-time All-Pro wide receiver reportedly isn't going to be traded.

Per Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, Thomas and Saints head coach Sean Payton "have had positive talks" recently and "are not seeking a split."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Thomas underwent ankle surgery in June to repair torn ligaments he suffered last year and could miss "weeks" during the upcoming regular season.

Before the Saints' first training camp practice last month, Payton said: "Well, look, it appears we're gonna have to spend some time without him. It's disappointing. And we'll work through it with the other players that are here. But the surgery took place, and obviously we would've liked that to happen earlier than later. And quite honestly, it should've."

According to Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune, Thomas ignored phone calls from the Saints for months during the offseason when they wanted to check in on the status of his rehab. 

Earlier this week, Thomas set off alarm bells when he posted this cryptic message on Twitter:

Thomas was one of the most consistent wideouts in the NFL from 2016 to 2019. He had at least 121 targets, 92 receptions and 1,137 yards in each of his first four seasons.

The ankle injury occurred in Week 1 of the 2020 campaign against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Thomas finished the year with 40 catches, 438 yards and zero touchdowns in seven games.

Thomas' presence is going to be crucial for the Saints as they look to keep pace with the Bucs in the NFC South. Their offense is going to look very different, with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill competing to replace the retired Drew Brees as the starting quarterback.

The Saints open their season Sept. 12 at home versus the Green Bay Packers.   

Details have emerged regarding Maryland State Police's July 16 arrest of New Orleans Saints wide receiver Deonte Harris on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Amie Just of the Times-Picayune provided details from the officer's report. Among them, Harris blew a .246 on the breathalyzer, more than three times the legal blood alcohol limit of .08.

The officer said that he initially pulled Harris over after observing his Mercedes-Benz C300 moving across three traffic lanes and exceeding the speed limit by over 20 mph on Interstate 695 at roughly 1:30 a.m. in Baltimore County.

According to the report, Harris provided his credit card instead of his driver's license and was soon given three field sobriety tests, which he failed.

The officer also said he smelled alcohol on Harris' breath and person and noted bloodshot eyes. When asked if he had been drinking, Harris reportedly said that he had been doing so since 4 p.m. ET and consumed "two to three" cocktails.

He also "displayed 16 of the 18 physical clues police look for when observing for potential DUI," per Just's relaying of the police report.

In addition, Harris reportedly asked the officer to "just let me go" as he was being taken to the Towson Precinct (Baltimore County) for processing.

Per Just, Harris eventually received citations for "driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while impaired by alcohol, negligent driving, reckless driving, failure to obey traffic control device instructions and exceeding the speed limit."

Harris earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors as a returner during his rookie season in 2019, notably leading the league with 36 punt returns for 338 yards. He also added a punt-return touchdown and 24 kick returns for 644 yards.

Last year, Harris averaged 12.2 yards per punt return and 27.3 yards per kick return. He also caught 20 passes for 186 yards and one score.

Harris is currently taking part in the Saints' training camp, but he is subject to NFL discipline.

ESPN's Rich Cimini outlined those penalties in 2019:

According to the league's alcohol policy, a first-time offender gets a minimum two-game suspension but can receive additional discipline if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell determines there were aggravating circumstances, including extreme intoxication, property damage or serious injury to the player or another party.

The Saints are currently scheduled to open their season at home against the Green Bay Packers on Sept. 12.

New Orleans Saints cornerback Patrick Robinson informed his team Tuesday that he is retiring, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Head coach Sean Payton was caught off guard by the announcement, noting that it was not injury related.

"It was something that deep down inside he felt," Payton said Tuesday, per Luke Johnson of the New Orleans Advocate.

Robinson spent 11 years in the NFL, including eight with the Saints. The 2010 first-round pick spent five campaigns in the Big Easy to begin his career and returned in 2018.

The 33-year-old was heading into the final season of his four-year, $20 million deal with New Orleans.

Robinson also played for the Chargers, Colts and Eagles, winning Super Bowl LII with Philadelphia. He appeared in all 16 regular-season contests and three playoff games for the Eagles in 2017, returning an interception for a touchdown in the NFC Championship Game.

The veteran had only one season as a full-time starter in 2012 with the Saints, but he was a reliable player in the secondary throughout his career with 123 total games played. He finishes with 16 interceptions, 83 passes defended and two sacks.

Robinson had been an effective player for the Saints, allowing just one touchdown in pass coverage over the past two years, per Pro Football Reference. His absence now creates a hole in the secondary after the Saints also lost Janoris Jenkins in the offseason.

Marshon Lattimore is clear top option at cornerback, but he may receive a suspension from the NFL to start the 2021 campaign after he was charged with a fourth-degree felony of receiving stolen property. The legal case is still pending.

The second starting role could also be up for grabs. Amie Just of the Times-Picayune reported Ken Crawley spent time with the first team when Robinson was unavailable during training camp, but the 28-year-old played just 11 defensive snaps in six games last season.

Veteran Prince Amukamara and rookie third-round pick Paulson Adebo could be in line for more playing time as well.

The New Orleans Saints "are exploring available options in the trade market for a cornerback," according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com.

Duncan listed Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back C.J. Henderson as a possible target. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday some teams have come to believe the Jags would consider moving the 2020 first-round pick.

Henderson had 36 tackles, six pass breakups, one forced fumble and one interception in eight games as a rookie.

The Associated Press' Mark Long provided some context that showed Jacksonville's opinion of the 22-year-old may have been souring for some time:

The only thing clear about Henderson’s situation is the Jaguars had concerns months ago despite what Meyer said publicly. Jacksonville gave cornerback Shaquill Griffin a three-year, $40 million deal in free agency, re-signed former starters Tre Herndon and Sidney Jones and then drafted Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell with the first pick in the second round.

The Jags had more pressing needs (safety, pass rusher, offensive line, tight end) but instead grabbed an insurance policy for Henderson.

Reaching out to the Jaguars about a deal makes sense.

Henderson's combined salary-cap hit over the next three years is $16.8 million. That's a bargain if he can prove himself to be a starting-caliber cornerback. And his performance in 2020 at least offers some hope that's the case.

The Saints signed Brian Poole but lost Janoris Jenkins, who tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. Along with Poole, they addressed the secondary by selecting Stanford's Paulson Adebo in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Still, matching a fifth-place finish in passing yards allowed (217 per game) might be difficult in 2021. That New Orleans is exploring the trade market signals a desire to strengthen its options at cornerback.

Even if he didn't provide an immediate return, Henderson's contract status might make him a little more attractive for the Saints since Poole and Patrick Robinson are due to be free agents in 2022.

New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas suggested the team is attempting to damage his reputation amid reports he ignored the team this offseason when contacted about the recovery of his ankle.

Thomas underwent surgery on his ailing ankle in June, five months after the Saints' 2020 season ended. While it was known that Thomas had the injury all last season and might need surgery, he ignored phone calls from the team throughout the offseason after seeking a second opinion, per Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com.

"Well, look, it appears we're gonna have to spend some time without him. It's disappointing," Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters in July. "And we'll work through it with the other players that are here. But the surgery took place, and obviously we would've liked that to happen earlier than later. And quite honestly, it should've."

Thomas is not expected to be available for the beginning of the regular season and has no firm timetable for a return, with NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reporting in July that the procedure could take four months to return from. It's likely he'll have two lost seasons under his belt due to the ankle injury by the end of 2021. The three-time Pro Bowler was limited to 40 receptions for 438 yards last season. He had at least 90 catches for 1,100 yards each of his first four NFL seasons.

The Saints and Thomas restructured his contract in March amid trade rumors. He will receive a base salary of only $1 million this season after converting most of his salary into a bonus, and the team could move on next offseason and save $15.8 million if he's traded or cut after June 1.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton apparently had good reason to be frustrated by Michael Thomas' decision to wait until June before having ankle surgery. 

Per Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune, Thomas ignored "multiple calls" from Saints coaches for three months after the 2020 season concluded. 

Duncan noted at the end of last season, Saints medical personnel advised Thomas "to undergo surgery to repair ligament damage" in the joint of his ankle that caused him problems. 

Thomas decided to get a second opinion from a doctor who suggested a "conservative approach that would allow the injury to heal on its own through rehab and therapy."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on July 23 that Thomas' recommended recovery timeline of four months is expected to keep him out for at least a portion of the regular season. 

A four-month recovery period would put Thomas on track to be 100 percent in October. 

When the Saints arrived at training camp last week, Payton was openly frustrated about the situation with his star wide receiver. 

“It appears we’re going to have to spend some time without him,” Payton told reporters on July 28. “It’s disappointing. We would have liked that to have happened earlier. And quite honestly, it should have. I’m going to leave it at that.”

Thomas suffered a high ankle sprain in the fourth quarter of the Saints' Week 1 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He missed the next six games before returning in Week 9. 

After playing in six straight games from Weeks 9-14, Thomas finished the regular season on injured reserve because of ongoing ankle problems. The three-time Pro Bowler did return for the playoffs, catching five passes for 73 yards and one touchdown in the NFC Wild Card Round against the Chicago Bears. 

Thomas was held without a catch in New Orleans' NFC Divisional Round loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

There are many questions about what the Saints offense will look like in 2021 with either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill set to become the starting quarterback after Drew Brees retired during the offseason. 

Thomas was one of the most reliable and productive receivers in the NFL from 2016-19. The Ohio State alum averaged 151 targets, 118 receptions, 1,378 yards and eight touchdowns during that four-season span. 

The Saints need that version of Thomas if they hope to challenge the defending Super Bowl champion Bucs in the NFC South.   

Linebacker Kwon Alexander is staying with the New Orleans Saints.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the free agent agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million with the NFC South team on Tuesday. The LSU product appeared in seven games for the Saints last season after they acquired him via trade from the San Francisco 49ers.

Fellow New Orleans linebacker Demario Davis was thrilled about the news:

Alexander entered the league as a fourth-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015 and played his first four seasons with the club. He played the best football of his career in Tampa Bay and tallied 145 tackles in his second season.

He then followed that up with his only Pro Bowl selection in 2017 behind 97 tackles and three interceptions.

A string of injuries then derailed much of his progress, as he appeared in six games in 2018 and eight games in 2019. San Francisco moved him after just five games in 2020, although he ended up appearing in 12 games across his two stops and finished with 57 tackles, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and one sack.

The biggest question with Alexander is whether he can remain healthy, but he is just 27 years old and familiar with the Saints' defensive scheme given his time there last season.

There will likely be more pressure on the defense in New Orleans this season with Drew Brees retired and Michael Thomas sidelined at the start of the year with an injury.

If Alexander rediscovers the form he displayed early in his career on the Buccaneers, he will be a key contributor as the defensive unit looks to lead the way in the defense of the Saints' four straight NFC South crowns.

Looking for reinforcements in the backfield early in training camp, the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a deal with veteran running back Devonta Freeman. 

Freeman's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told ESPN's Adam Schefter that his client has agreed to a one-year contract with the Saints after the two sides met for a visit Saturday. 

Freeman confirmed the deal with NFL reporter Josina Anderson and spoke about joining the team. 

Freeman will join a Saints backfield group that already includes Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray, Dwayne Washington and Ty Montgomery. 

This marks the second straight offseason that Freeman has been a free agent. The 29-year-old waited until Sept. 23 to sign with the New York Giants last year, though he admitted the previous month that free agency was "kind of slow" because of the pandemic. 

Freeman only appeared in five games for the Giants before suffering an ankle injury in Week 7 against the Philadelphia Eagles that ended his season. 

The Buffalo Bills added Freeman to their practice squad in January, but he became a free agent on Feb. 1 when his contract expired. 

A seven-year veteran, Freeman played six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons from 2014-19. He made the Pro Bowl in back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016. The Florida State alum had three straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scored a total of 35 touchdowns in 45 games from 2015-17. 

Kamara is entrenched as the starter in New Orleans. Freeman does have a history of being an excellent receiver out of the backfield, so he can compete for a backup role in the offense during training camp.