For the first time in his NFL career, wide receiver Michael Thomas is a free agent. The two-time All-Pro spent the first eight seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints.
He overcame multiple injury setbacks during his time with the Saints. He was placed on injured reserve again last November, but was arrested the same month after a confrontation with construction workers.
This week, a spokesperson for the city of Kenner, Louisiana, confirmed that a 31-year-old man has been accepted into a pretrial diversion program. The program may help Thomas avoid going to trial.
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Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints is shown after defeating the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 11, 2022. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
However, Thomas’ acceptance into the program does not mean his misdemeanor charges have been dismissed.
“This does not constitute a termination in any way,” said Kenner spokeswoman Valerie Brolin. “If all matters and requirements are met, the case can be closed, but not dismissed.”
Thomas’ attorney, Daniel Becnel, confirmed the charges are continuing and said Thomas is ready to resume his NFL career.
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The construction worker told police that Thomas began yelling at him about parking in front of his home on November 10 and “made verbal threats of harm.”
Thomas then picked up a brick and threw it at the window of the truck, causing “little if any” damage, the worker told police. Police said Thomas knocked the victim’s phone out of her hand, shoved her and told her he didn’t want to be recorded.
Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints warms up before their game against the Chicago Bears on November 5, 2023 in New Orleans. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
In the Kenner case, Brolin said pretrial diversion is essentially a six-month suspended sentence for first-time offenders. In addition to avoiding subsequent arrest while participating in her program, defendants could also be required to take classes, undergo treatment and pay fines, she said.
Once the program is complete, the case is closed and the charges no longer appear on the defendant’s record, Brolin said.
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The Saints selected Thomas in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie season with 1,137 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
He finished each of his first four seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors following an outstanding 2019 season. But Thomas’ last four years have been especially plagued by injuries, with the wideout playing in 20 games over the past four seasons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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