Michael Thomas' long-awaited return could be a timely one for the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.
After missing the last six games, Thomas (ankle/hamstring) should be good to go vs. Buccaneers barring any setback, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday, per a source.
The team later confirmed that Thomas will be active for the first time since Week 1. CornerbackKen Crawley, offensive lineman Derrick Kelly and running back Ty Montgomery were listed as inactive for Sunday Night Football.
According to Rapoport, Thomas had a good, active week of practice despite being a limited participant. The Saints officially listed Thomas as questionable.
The All-Pro wideout hasn't suited up since the Saints' season-opening win over the Bucs. Thomas had just three receptions for 17 yards in that game before exiting with an ankle injury, which led to the longest absence of his five-year career.
With the Saints (5-2) and Bucs (6-2) vying for first place in Week 9, Sunday night's prime-time matchup between NFC South rivals shouldn't disappoint.
Other injury news we are keeping an eye on ahead of Sunday's Week 9 games:
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the following inactives for SNF: QB Ryan Griffin, WR Justin Watson, RB Ke'Shawn Vaughn, G Ali Marpet and DL Khalil Davis. Receiver Chris Godwinis active after being considered questionable with a broken finger injury.
- Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott, who is questionable with a hamstring injury, has a good chance of playing vs. the Steelers, a source tells Rapoport. As for defensive end Aldon Smith, who is also listed as questionable with a knee injury, he is expected to play, according to Rapoport.
- Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen, who was listed as questionable because of an illness, is cleared to play Sunday versus the Raiders after testing negative for COVID-19 a second time, per Rapoport.
- Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (knee/illness), who is listed as questionable, is expected to play vs. the Chargers, a source tells Rapoport. Offensive tackle Kolton Miller, however, is considered a game-time decision but has an uphill battle to play, according to Rapoport. Offensive tackle Trent Brown, recently placed on the reserve/COVID-19 again, is expected to miss at least a month, Rapoport reported. While Brown was briefly hospitalized last week following an issue with a pre-game IV, the team said his second placement on the list is related to COVID complications.
- Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Frank Clark (knee) should be good to go vs. the Panthers, Rapoport reports, per source.
- Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (foot) and wide receiver Tim Patrick (hamstring) are officially active for Sunday versus the Falcons.
- Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who is dealing with a mid-foot sprain, is inactive Sunday versus the Broncos. He'd been listed as questionable despite not practicing at all this week. Defensive linemen Dante Fowler and Takkarist McKinley are also inactive.
- After being listed as questionable but not expected to play, Tennessee Titans edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney (knee) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Bears. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Saturday that Clowney has a meniscus injury and might need surgery.
- Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb is expected to return to practice this week after missing a month with an MCL sprain, Rapoport reported. The Browns are hopeful he can play next Sunday.
- The Chicago Bears placed offensive lineman Lachavious Simmons on the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of Sunday's game in Tennessee. He will not play against the Titans. The OL tested positive Saturday and his result has been confirmed, Pelissero reported, per a source. Simmons had no high-risk close contacts.
- Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders (knee) will return to practice after this bye weekend, while wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (calf) should be a full participant, Rapoport reported.
- Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Dez Bryant is active, putting him in line to play in an NFL game for the first time since 2017. As expected, running back Mark Ingram (ankle) is inactive.