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METAIRIE — While everyone has been concerned with the struggles of kicker Garrett Hartley in the aftermath of Sunday’s 27-24 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the New Orleans Saints may have more pressing concerns.

Running back Pierre Thomas and quarterback Drew Brees came up gimpy in the final minute of regulation against the Falcons, and strong safety Roman Harper managed to get through the game despite experiencing some leg problems during the second half.

When the Saints returned to practice Wednesday to begin preparing for Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers in the Superdome, Thomas and Harper were among those not participating in the workout, while Brees wore a brace on a sore left knee.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Thomas has an injured left ankle, while Harper has a right hamstring injury. Payton, however, said Brees did not have an injury and was not listed on the practice report that was filed with the league office.

Payton said Brees, who said he had an MRI on the knee, participated fully and took all of his usual reps during the two-hour workout.

“He’s sore, but he was full in practice and did well,” Payton said. “He put a brace on there, but he was able to go full. He has some soreness, but he was good.”

When asked exactly what the situation was, Payton said, “There’s no situation … his knee is sore from the game.

“I was pleased with how he functioned; he functioned fine. It’s something that as the week goes on, I think he’ll have no problem with. He did a real good job in all the team stuff today.”

Brees appeared to move around well in the portion of practice that was open to reporters; and during a post-practice news conference, he said the knee was all right.

“It’s gotten a lot better since Monday,” he said. “My hope is, and what I’m very confident in, that by game day it will be fine. It’s just a little sore now.”

Brees, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the same knee at the end of his junior year in high school, hasn’t worn a brace since his senior year of high school.

But he doesn’t know if he’ll use it in Sunday’s game.

“I’m kind of playing with it for stability and comfort,” he said. “More than likely, yes. It’s more for comfort, confidence and protection, too.”