Michael Thomas was listed as a limited participant in practice as the New Orleans Saints prepare for their Week 7 clash with the Carolina Panthers.

All-Pro wide receiver Thomas has not featured for the Saints this season since their opening win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A high ankle sprain kept Thomas on the sidelines and, though he was fully recovered for the Week 5 meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers, he did not play in the overtime win because of an altercation with a team-mate at practice.

Coming off their Week 6 bye, the Saints listed Thomas as being limited because of ankle and hamstring injuries.

It is unclear whether he will be ready for the visit of the Panthers to provide a boost for an unconvincing Saints offense.

The Saints are 3-2 after squeaking past the Chargers, with Thomas' four-game absence keenly felt.

He led the NFL in receiving yards in 2019 with 1,725, averaging 107.8 per game.

This season, running back Alvin Kamara is the Saints' leading receiver averaging 79 yards per game. Veteran Emmanuel Sanders, with whom quarterback Drew Brees has taken time to establish a rapport, is next with 304 yards at a rate of 60.8 per game.