Michael Thomas headed to IR, will miss remainder of regular season

The New Orleans Saints placed Michael Thomas on injured reserve due to a lingering ankle injury, the team announced Saturday.

Thomas will miss three games, sidelining him for the rest of the regular season, but the Saints expect the receiver to be near 100 percent for the postseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The ankle ailment has bothered the talented wideout since the season opener, and the team had already ruled Thomas out for Week 15 after he failed to practice this week.

Thomas has had a disappointing follow-up campaign to a career year. The 2019 Offensive Player of the Year has appeared in just seven games in 2020, failing to score a touchdown while racking up only 438 yards.

The injury also ends Thomas' streak of three consecutive seasons with over 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards.

New Orleans, which already clinched a playoff spot, will look to reclaim the NFC's No. 1 seed from the Green Bay Packers, who took control of the spot last week. Winning the top spot would ensure a first-round bye for the Saints, which could help Thomas' recovery.