Michael Thomas remains a free agent, and he is set to miss the opening game of the campaign if he lands with a team before Week 1. The former Saints All-Pro has been given a one-game suspension, as noted by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 
This ban will be classified as a personal conduct violation, Rapoport adds. The suspension stems from a November incident for which Thomas was arrested. The 31-year-old was alleged to have pushed a contractor and thrown a brick at his windshield after a verbal altercation. Thomas’ representation later denied the situation became violent.
In March, it was learned Thomas was set to enter a pre-trial diversion program. Upon its completion, the case – which brought forth misdemeanor simple battery and criminal mischief charges – was dropped. That brought an end to the three-time Pro Bowler’s legal situation, but precedent has shown criminal convictions are not required for NFL suspensions to be handed down. In this case, Thomas will now be required to sit out at least the opening game of the campaign, although he is currently set to miss much more time than that in the absence of a contract.
Thomas was among the NFL’s top receivers during his prime years in New Orleans. The former second-rounder broke the all-time receptions record in 2019 (149), leading the league in yards as well (1,725). That production earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors, but things have not gone according to plan since. Injuries limited him to 10 games between 2020 and ’22, and he suited up for that many contests last season.
In a move set up by the nature of his contract, Thomas was cut by the Saints this offseason. No teams have been connected to a free agent pursuit due to the long list of ailments he has dealt with in recent years, something which has of course also hurt his production. Thomas remains free to sign with a new team at any time, but in the wake of today’s news his chances of landing a deal before the start of the season have taken a hit.
Suspended, IR does it really make a difference anymore? Fact is he found another way to not have to play. Atta Boy
I’ve seen plenty of QBs throw “bricks” during a game so why aren’t they getting one game suspensions?
and Rice is still active…
The commissioner probably has a bet riding on KC this year.
The league cannot take action on Rashee Rice until his legal cases is resolved. People would be upset if Rice was placed on the Commish Exempt list, as he would still be getting paid.
Mark Davis takes a lot of crap from people here who think they are funny, but he alone took actions against Henry Ruggs III. The NFL has yet to take any disciplinary action with Ruggs, yet no one seems to care?
NFL continues to let Chiefs off… Unreal. Rice committed numerous felonies and ran from crime scene. He should be on the same list Cleveland’s Michael Hall is on. But because he plays for the Chiefs no discipline will be given to Rice..
And if Chiefs cared anything about character they would have cut Rice immediately…
Would love to see the NFL expand, definitely think there is enough talent to go around. Seasons about to kick off and look at all the talent still available…
QB: Tannehill and Ridder
RB: Cook, Hunt and James Robinson
WR: Thomas, Renfrow, Claypool and Watkins
TE: Ozumah, Thomas and Irv Smith
OT: Bakhhiari, Smith, Peter’s and Leno
OG: Vaitai, Turner, Wyatt Davis and Lael Collins
C: McGovern and Cole
DL: Guy, Woods and Jonah Williams
Edge: Ngakoue, Lawson, Gregory, Harris
LB: Leonard, Jones and Alexander
CB: Howard, JC Jackson, Witherspoon and Apple
S: Hyde, Amos and Harrison
This team might not be a Super Bowl contender but I’m sure they could get a couple games, give them a couple superstars and a couple drafts of young talent and your set. NFL could easily introduce another two teams
All scrubs
Even if they weren’t, the average cost of an NFL franchise is about 5 billion bucks. I found $1.35 buried in my couch yesterday so I should be in a position to make an ownership bid in the year 3025.
I get what you are saying. The last time the Chiefs cut a player because of character another team snapped them up in like a week or so. Anyone wanting KC to drop Rice is only doing so because they want their team to snap him up…. because everyone deserves a second chance. (heard that alot of the talking heads say this about Hunt after KC dropped him).
This is on the NFL offices and not the Chiefs. They have said it won’t happen till the legal is over and that will be after the season. I am guessing Rice will get a 4-6 game suspension next year. You can agree or disagree but its pretty much the same thing they did with Thomas here. They waited till the legal was over to make a decision. I wish they had always done it that way in the past.
Everyone deserves a second chance, sure. Doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be punished first. Rice should’ve been handed a 20 game suspension, ensuring he didn’t play a snap this season. His second chance could kick in as the 2025 season begins.
Thomas looked kaput.last year.
What a washed athlete lmao