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By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
December 28, 2009, 12:20PM

Saints tailback Pierre Thomas will likely be limited throughout the week with bruised ribs, and his status will likely be questionable for Sunday's game at Carolina. But fortunately for the Saints, X-rays came out negative for anything more serious.

Thomas returned briefly to Sunday's game against Tampa Bay after suffering the injury in the second quarter. But he didn't return to action after halftime.

"I told them I'll go back in at halftime, but they didn't want to take any chances," said Thomas, who said it will be up to the coaches how much he participates in practice this week.

Coach Sean Payton said he was optimistic that tight end Jeremy Shockey (toe), linebacker Scott Shanle (concussion) and cornerback Randall Gay (concussion) might all be able to return to action this week.

He said Shockey's injury isn't as severe as a typical turf toe, and he was almost activated on Sunday after working out before the game. But Payton said he didn't want to risk a setback.

Payton also said that the decision to keep Shanle and Gay on the sideline was made by outside doctors. Gay said he consulted with a neurologist, but Shanle said he didn't meet with a neurologist because he never came close to practicing or playing all week.

"My symptoms got a lot better as the week went on, but just the fact that I was still having any issues at all, we didn't want to push it," said Shanle, who said the plan is to increase his activity this week, then see how he responds.

Payton didn't offer any updates on cornerback Jabari Greer (sports hernia) or receiver Lance Moore (ankle).

New Orleans Saints injury updates: Bruised ribs for tailback Pierre Thomas | New Orleans Saints Central - - NOLA.com

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