Saints give WR Thomas record deal

The Saints and leading receiver Michael Thomas agreed to a new five-year, $100 million contract, his agent said Wednesday.

Andrew Kessler of the agency Athletes First, who joined colleague David Mulugheta in negotiating the deal with the Saints, said the contract pays Thomas about $61 million in guaranteed salary and bonuses.

The agreement, first reported by NFL Network, brings to an end Thomas’ training camp holdout that spanned five practices.

The Saints were off Wednesday, and Thomas was expected to join practice Thursday.

Thomas’ average annual pay of $20 million represents a new high for NFL receivers, eclipsing the $18 million per year paid to the Browns’ Odell Beckham Jr.

Last season, Thomas ranked first in the NFL in catches with 125, sixth in yards receiving with 1,405 and tied for 10th with nine touchdowns.

Thomas has established himself as an elite receiver with 321 catches for 3,787 yards and 23 touchdowns in his first three seasons.

Thomas was entering the final season of his rookie deal and was due a little more than $1.1 million. He has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three seasons since the Saints made him a second-round draft choice out of Ohio State.

Kuechly leaves practice: Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was held out of the second half of practice after getting tangled up in a pile during a 9-on-7 play.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera declined to specify the nature of the injury, saying trainers were purposely being “overly cautious” with the six-time Pro Bowler.

Kuechly ended up on the ground on the play but it was difficult to determine what happened.

He stood alongside head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion with his helmet on afterward and asked to return to practice. Trainers refused to let him.

When asked to discuss the specific nature of the injury, Rivera said “I can’t, because I don’t know. I haven’t talked to anybody other than (knowing) he got caught up in a pile up.”

Kuechly has suffered three concussions during his seven-year career.

Redskins sign O-linemen: The Redskins signed tackle Donald Penn and guard Hugh Thornton to add depth on their offensive line.

The Redskins are without staring left tackle Trent Williams. The seven-time Pro Bowl is a training camp holdout.

The 36-year-old Penn started 174 games and made three Pro Bowls in 13 seasons.

Penn played four games last season for Redskins coach Jay Gruden’s brother, Jon, with the Raiders.

Thornton, 28, started 32 games with the Colts from 2013-2015 before an ankle injury forced him to retire. He’ll try to make a comeback with the Redskins, who are thin at guard.