Saints' Sean Payton declines to comment on Michael Thomas' cryptic tweet
New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton dismissed any speculating about Pro Bowl receiver Michael Thomas on Monday, who has ignored calls from coaches and trainers for three months this offseason, according to several reports.
Thomas insinuated Monday that the New Orleans Saints "tried to damage my reputation" in a cryptic tweet. Thomas did not name the team in his rant, in which he said he saved another entity's "reputation by not telling your side of the story."
When pressed by reporters about what Thomas could be implying, Payton said: "No. I don't want to have a press conference based on social media."
Thomas, the NFL's 2019 offensive player of the year, underwent surgery to repair ligaments in his ankle in June. He's expected to miss the start of the 2021 campaign. The 28-year-old receiver missed eight games due to injury last year. He also missed a game for punching teammate Chauncey Gardner-Johnson during a practice scuffle.
Payton also dismissed the notion of Thomas being a distraction to the team.
"We're focused on our guys, and obviously we're focused on Mike getting healthy," Payton said, "but outside of that, it's never been an issue."