For the primary time in his NFL career, broad receiver Michael Thomas is a free agent. The 2-time All-Professional spent the primary eight seasons of his profession with the New Orleans Saints.
He battled via a number of damage setbacks throughout his tenure with the Saints. He was as soon as once more positioned on injured reserve final November, the identical month he was arrested following a confrontation with a development employee.
This week, a Kenner, Louisiana, spokesperson confirmed the 31-year-old had been accepted right into a pretrial diversion program. This system may assist Thomas keep away from going to trial.
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Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints is proven after defeating the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 11, 2022. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Photographs)
Nevertheless, Thomas’ acceptation into this system doesn’t imply his misdemeanor prices have been dismissed.
“This does not constitute dismissal in any way,” Kenner spokesperson Valerie Brolin stated. “Once all matters and requirements are satisfied, the case can be closed, but it is not dismissed.”
Thomas’ lawyer, Daniel Becnel, confirmed that the costs stay in place and stated the receiver is able to resume his NFL profession.
The construction worker instructed police that Thomas started yelling at him about parking in entrance of his dwelling on Nov. 10 and allegedly “verbally threatened to harm him.”
Thomas then picked up a brick and threw it on the window of a truck however prompted “little if any” harm, the employee reportedly instructed police. Thomas then knocked the sufferer’s cellphone from his hand, shoved him and instructed him he didn’t need to be recorded, police stated.
Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints warms up earlier than a recreation in opposition to the Chicago Bears on November 5, 2023, in New Orleans. (Wesley Hitt/Getty Photographs)
In Kenner, pretrial diversion is basically a six-month probationary interval for first offenders, Brolin stated. Along with avoiding subsequent arrests whereas in this system, defendants additionally could also be required to take lessons, obtain therapy and pay fines, she stated.
When this system is accomplished, the case is closed and prices not seem within the defendant’s file, Brolin stated.
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The Saints chosen Thomas within the second spherical of the 2016 NFL Draft. He completed his rookie marketing campaign with 1,137 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.
He ended every of his first 4 seasons with a minimum of 1,000 receiving yards and earned offensive participant of the yr honors following his standout 2019 season. However Thomas’ final 4 years have been significantly injury-riddled, with the wideout showing in 20 video games over the previous 4 seasons.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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