Saintswrath |
11-30-2010 10:24 PM |
Pierre Thomas Could return THIS weekend?
Payton: Pierre Thomas could return for Saints at Bengals
Updated at 10:10 p.m. Tuesday NEW ORLEANS – Injured running back Pierre Thomas could make his long-anticipated return to active duty Sunday in an important road game against the Cincinnati Bengals, New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton said Tuesday night.
Payton said Thomas has “turned the corner’’ in his rehabilitation/recovery from a severely sprained left ankle that has sidelined him the past eight games and triggered widespread speculation as to the nature of the injury.
ESPN has reported the past two weeks that Thomas suffered a torn tendon, reports Payton has labeled inaccurate.
In addition, the lengthy rehabilitation and uncertainty surrounding Thomas' prognosis and pending return have caused great angst and frustration for the fourth-year pro who broke into the NFL as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2007.
Kickoff against the Bengals (2-9, last in the AFC North) is noon Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium.
“I’m optimistic that (Thomas) can get back on the field for this game,’’ said Payton, whose team stands 8-3 after a riveting 30-27 victory against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day and trails the Atlanta Falcons (9-2) in the NFC South. “We began to see some real progress last week, yet we knew he wouldn’t be ready to play in that short turnaround on Thanksgiving.
“But when he and I spoke leading up to the Thanksgiving game, our goal was to make the Cincinnati game at least something we could target.’’
FULL STORY: Payton: Pierre Thomas could return for Saints at Bengals
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