The NFL has suspended free agent receiver Michael Thomas for a rules violation.

In March, Thomas was released by the New Orleans Saints.

The NFL has suspended free agent receiver Michael Thomas for a rules violation.
The NFL has suspended free agent receiver Michael Thomas for a rules violation.

Michael Thomas, a free agent wide receiver who played for the New Orleans Saints for eight seasons, is still looking for a new NFL team. If he signs with a team before the league's opening week, he will not be able to play. In November 2023, Thomas was arrested in Kenner, Louisiana, after a dispute with a construction worker. He was later accepted into a pretrial diversion program.

Michael Thomas on the sidelines before an NFL game
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas during a game against the Houston Texans at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans Aug. 27, 2023. (Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports)

In Kenner, first-time offenders can participate in a six-month probationary program known as pretrial diversion, which involves taking classes, receiving treatment, and paying fines, according to Valerie Brolin, a spokesperson for the city, in March.

On November 10, a construction worker informed the police that Thomas had threatened to harm him verbally after parking in front of his home.

Michael Thomas warms up before a game
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas warms up before a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans Sept. 18, 2022. (Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports)

Thomas allegedly caused "little if any" damage to a truck's window by throwing a brick, and later shoved the victim and took his phone, telling him not to be recorded, police reported.

Michael Thomas during training camp
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas runs during training camp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, La., July 28, 2022. (Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports)

In the 2016 NFL Draft, the Saints picked Thomas in the second round. During his rookie season, he amassed 1,137 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

In 2019, he was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year after recording a league-leading 1,725 receiving yards, and he ended each of his first four seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.

Thomas' recent four seasons were marked by injury, with him missing the entire 2021 season and playing only 20 games from 2020-23.

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by Chantz Martin

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