The New Orleans Saints have placed Michael Thomas on the physically unable to perform list and he'll miss at least the first six weeks of the season.

Thomas has been sidelined since he underwent ankle surgery in June.

The late timing of Thomas' surgery was a point of consternation with the team. Sean Payton said at the beginning of training camp, "Obviously we would've liked that to happen earlier than later. And quite honestly, it should've."

Thomas finished with 40 catches for 438 yards in seven regular-season games last season and didn't catch his first touchdown pass until the playoffs.