While the New Orleans Saints nearly pulled off a 21-point comeback against the Detroit Lions in Week 13, not everyone on the Saints’ side was in a positive state after the Saints fell 33-28. Michael Thomas ended up showing his frustration, leading to the deletion of one of his social media accounts.
What Caused Michael Thomas to Deactivate His X Account?
Captured by one NFL fan on X (formerly known as Twitter), Thomas became critical of the performance of quarterback Derek Carr.
Michael Thomas 😬 pic.twitter.com/BhHUkhxWbw
— NFL Enthusiast (@NFLEnthusiast1) December 3, 2023
Zeroing in on one of his cryptic posts, Thomas has questioned if Carr’s eyes were working.
#Saints WR Michael Thomas, who is on IR and not with the team, doesn't hold back as he continues to post on X during the game. 👀 pic.twitter.com/xDhCw3bzUH
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 3, 2023
The All-Pro wide receiver, who sat out of the game with his knee ailment, became critical of Carr missing A.T. Perry on open throws. Carr also started the game going 1-of-5 passing, but that wasn’t all from Thomas’ X account.
Carr ended up leaving with three different injuries: a concussion and back and shoulder ailments. That sparked a “God is with Jameis” post from Thomas, referencing backup Jameis Winston, who handled the reins from there.
Thomas, though, received his share of criticism. One fan bluntly called him “the worst kind of teammate.” Ultimately, Thomas deactivated his account.
How Much Did Saints Struggle Without Thomas?
Were Thomas’ services greatly missed and needed in the Big Easy?
Probably at the start of the game. The Saints fell behind 21-0, including Carr throwing a deflected pass that resulted in an interception on the first drive for New Orleans.
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But the air attack ultimately found its rhythm. Chris Olave reached 119 receiving yards on five catches. Running back Alvin Kamara caught six passes out of the backfield for 58 yards. Eight different Saints got involved through the air game.
However, only Kamara and Olave caught five receptions or more. Not a single other Saints player surpassed the two-catch mark. That includes veteran tight end Jimmy Graham who settled for one reception for six yards, and Perry, who hauled in just one catch for 30 yards.
As for the quarterbacks, Carr ended his day finishing 17-of-22 passing for 226 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and two sacks. Winston went 2-of-5 through the air for 41 yards. Even the versatile Taysom Hill threw the ball twice — but neither was completed. Hill was primarily used on wildcat formations and ended with a team-high 59 rushing yards and one rushing score.
But again, Thomas found a way to command attention outside of suiting up for the Saints. He pulled it off by posting cryptic criticism that eventually came down. But in the era of screenshots, those posts were saved and passed around. Now, all eyes will be on how Thomas and Carr redevelop their chemistry once Thomas can suit back up again.
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