QBREES9

If that was the plan Sunday, when Thomas returned to the New Orleans Saints after missing nine games because of the peskiest ankle injury never classified as a break or torn ligaments, it died as soon as newly anointed workhorse Chris Ivory went to the sideline in the first half with a tender hamstring.

And it stayed there as soon as Thomas showed he was up for the challenge.
A total of 68 total yards on 16 touches -- 12 carries for 39 yards and four catches for 29 yards -- might not have accounted for much literal production in Saints' 31-13 victory against St. Louis.

But figuratively, it was huge for the Saints, whose need for Thomas escalated as soon as Ivory was shelved as a precaution, and for Thomas, who needs to get back in the swing as soon as possible, if not to reclaim his former status as the team's top rusher, then to complement the talents of Ivory and Reggie Bush.

"In Pierre's first game back, you don't know how many carries you want to give him, " Coach Sean Payton said Monday. "He handled what he got real well, both in the run and the passing game."
"I was surprised to get as many touches as I did, " Thomas said. "I felt ready. I'm just getting back into the groove and everything. I still have a lot of work ahead of me. I'm not there yet."

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas is back, big time | NOLA.com

Attached Thumbnails

 

www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman

" Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "