Sean Payton has expressed frustration over the fact that Michael Thomas didn't have ankle surgery until June, though he declined to elaborate on why the procedure was delayed.

Thomas, who was plagued by the injury throughout last season, is expected to miss time at the start of this season.

"Well, look, it appears we're gonna have to spend some time without him. It's disappointing," Payton said. "And we'll work through it with the other players that are here. But the surgery took place, and obviously we would've liked that to happen earlier than later. And quite honestly, it should've."

Adam Schefter reported in January that Thomas was expected to undergo surgery to repair the torn deltoid and other injured ligaments in his ankle. It was revealed last week that the surgery didn't occur until last month.