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Pierre Thomas is optimistic he can come back this week: video - Video | NOLA.com

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Pierre Thomas is optimistic he can come back this week: video

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New Orleans Saints' injury report is down to only three names

Three months into the 2010 season, the New Orleans Saints' injury report, remarkably, is as small as it's been all season.

Only three names appeared on Wednesday's report - tailback Pierre Thomas and linebacker Anthony Waters, who were limited with ankle injuries, and tailback Ladell Betts, who was held out with a neck injury.

Coach Sean Payton said he fully expects tight end Jeremy Shockey (ribs) and safety Darren Sharper (hamstring) to return from lingering injuries Sunday at Cincinnati. And he's even optimistic that Thomas might finally return from the maddening ankle injury that has lingered since Week 3.
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New Orleans Saints' injury report is down to only three names | NOLA.com

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New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas eager to prove he's ready to play

New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas labeled himself "90 percent" back to normal on Wednesday and said he's doing everything he can in practice to show coaches that he's ready to return to the field Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals.
"I want to get back out there, but I have to be smart, and we have to be smart about the decision that we're going to make close to the end of the week and when it comes to game time," said Thomas, who has been sidelined with a nagging ankle injury since Week 3. "Either I'm gonna play or I might hold out. But strongly I think I'm going in the right direction and I might be suiting up. So I'm happy about that."

When asked if he's been doing everything on the practice field, Thomas said, "Everything and more." Although Thomas was officially listed as "limited" in Wednesday's practice, which is based on the number of snaps taken in team drills, Thomas said he even jumped into special teams drills, fielded kickoffs for the scout team and ran plays for the scout team offense to get in as much work as possible.
"I'm trying to do as much as I can," said Thomas, who said he even told the defensive players to really hit him out there to get him game-ready. "I told the defense in practice, 'Let's act like it's a game. You see me running the ball, hit me like you're playing in the game. If I go down, if you have to take my legs, try to do that. ... I want to feel that. I want to feel the same impact as if I was in the game."
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New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas eager to prove he's ready to play | NOLA.com