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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

niteadept

I, for one, have missed PT! So glad to have him back! RB's complimenting each other for the last three games of the regular season should put us back on track for another SB ring! TWO DAT!

crawgator

Glad to Have out top running backs back for the home stretch. We gonna need them. Two big games to be played this week against the Ravens, and then The dirty birds Dec 27th. We gonna need to control the clock in these two games. Geaux Saints can you say TWODAT for the WHODAT nation!!!

darstep

He looked pretty good and he is still trying to sync his game clock. It takes a minute for the game to slow down in your head and the more you are out there, the slower things get. Bush is starting to settle down too, and that's a good thing. PT has a low/poweful center of gravity, follows his blockers well and knows how to make guys miss. We have the REAL three headed monster. I hope they all stay healthy and compliment from here on out. Brees + running game = much success.

pumpkindriver

I'm so thrilled to see PT back on the field. I love the way he runs, his balance is uncanny. He gets hit and just pinballs off of tacklers and just when you think he's gonna go down, he stays on his feet and gets more yards.

Beastmode

Love his sense of balance. He Does the old Joe horn one hand on the ground and springs back to life.