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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is one of the more polarizing fantasy players entering the season. The former Ohio State Buckeye had a historic year in 2019. He caught 149 of his 185 targets for 1,725 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Furthermore, Thomas was the WR1 in every scoring format that year.
However, he has struggled to stay healthy since his historic season. He suffered a high ankle in the first game of the 2020 season, forcing him to miss the next six games. Thomas then had to miss the final three games of the year because of the ankle injury.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the end of the injuries for Thomas. He missed all of the 2021 season because of injuries. After missing 26 of the past 33 games, fantasy players must be nervous about starting Thomas in Week 1.
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Is Michael Thomas Injured or Playing in Week 1?
If the ankle injury that cost Thomas almost the past two years wasn't enough of a concern, the veteran wide receiver has dealt with a hamstring injury the past few weeks.
He was a limited participant in practice all week and is listed as questionable for the Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. However, Thomas reportedly will play in this game.
While he is on track to play against the Falcons, should fantasy players put Thomas into their starting lineups?
Should I Start Michael Thomas for Week 1 Fantasy Football?
The Falcons had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. They surrendered an average of 27 points per game, the fourth-most in the league. Atlanta also struggled to slow down opposing wide receivers. They gave up the most PPR fantasy points to wide receivers, surrendering an average of 39 fantasy points per game to the position.
However, the Falcons have an elite cornerback in A.J. Terrell. Pro Football Focus gave Terrell an 85.6 coverage grade last season, the second-highest among cornerbacks. Furthermore, he allowed only 29 receptions last season, ranking 96th in the NFL, which is excellent.
Meanwhile, Atlanta added cornerback Casey Hayward in the offseason. Last year, PFF gave the veteran cornerback a 75.5 coverage grade, the 14th-highest at his position.
Between the talented cornerback duo in Atlanta and his hamstring injury, fantasy players should bench Thomas this week if they have a solid replacement option. If you have to play Thomas, consider him a risky low-end WR3.
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