The New Orleans Saints will be without their star pass-catcher to begin the 2021 campaign.

Michael Thomas is expected to miss the start of the upcoming season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his ankle, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

The return timetable is four months, so Thomas could be sidelined for at least the first month of the campaign, added Rapoport.

The issue stems from an injury Thomas had last season. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 1 and was never fully healthy for the remainder of the year, finishing the campaign with just 40 receptions and 438 yards through seven regular-season appearances.

Before the 2020 season, the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year had over 1,000 yards in each of his first four pro campaigns. He also topped the NFL in receptions in back-to-back years in 2018 and 2019 while setting a record with 149 catches during the latter campaign.

The Saints have started looking for free-agent wide receivers as a result of Thomas' injury, sources told Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Running back Alvin Kamara led New Orleans with 83 receptions and 756 yards last year. The Saints' next two receiving leaders in 2020 - wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders and tight end Jared Cook - signed elsewhere this offseason.

New Orleans' current wideout depth chart features Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway, among other low-profile options.