New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has dealt with a series of injuries since racking up a career-high 1,725 receiving yards in 2019.
However, he now appears to be dialed in as he prepares for a potential comeback season. In April, Thomas posted a video on social media of himself deadlifting 530 pounds. On Monday, he posted another deadlift video, but this time the 30-year-old managed to lift 575 pounds for five reps.
The former Ohio State standout also took a moment to address his critics. “They were hatin(sic) on 530×1 mid April so go 575×5 go smoke that,” Thomas wrote in an Instagram Story post.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Michael Thomas, number 13 of the New Orleans Saints, in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome on September 18, 2022 in New Orleans. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Thomas’ 2022 campaign started well, with the star receiver scoring three touchdowns through the first three games of the season. However, injuries sidelined him for the remaining 14 games of the regular season.
Thomas was on the practice field earlier this month for minicamp.
DEREK CARR REVEALS THE LATEST JERK IN THE RAIDERS’ RELATIONSHIP: ‘ONCE THEY MADE MY WIFE CRY, THAT WAS PRETTY OVER’
Thomas has only dressed for a total of 10 games in the past three seasons.
Thomas will likely transition into a leadership role with the team as 2022 first-round draft pick and Buckeyes standout Chris Olave enter his second NFL season.
Undrafted wide receiver Rashid Shaheed had 488 receiving yards last year and is also set to start his second season in New Orleans.
Michael Thomas, number 13 of the New Orleans Saints, catches a pass as he is tackled by Donte Jackson, number 26 of the Carolina Panthers, during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on September 25, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina . (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
Thomas seems to have accepted his role as mentor.
«We’re like the ‘Big Three,'» Thomas told NOLA.com earlier this month. «Or whatever. I wouldn’t say ‘Big Three’ because we have other receivers and everyone who has to contribute will contribute.»
«But those are two rookies I’ve taken under my wing and been involved with.»
Michael Thomas, number 13 of the New Orleans Saints, reacts after defeating the Atlanta Falcons 27-26 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Atlanta. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Thomas signed a one-year, incentive-laden contract with the Saints in March. He said he was confident he would stay in New Orleans and also said he was «involved in the process of bringing veteran quarterback Derek Carr to the team.
«I always knew it was going to be here,» Thomas said. «I knew he would be the receiver. I knew our priorities for the offseason were to get a quarterback and put some pieces around us. So I was always involved.»
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«He wants to win like I want to win,» Thomas said of Carr. «He’s just very disciplined. He’s on top of his stuff. He came here for a reason. That’s the same kind of confidence I hear in his voice: he came here for a reason, he came here to win.»