METAIRIE, La. ― Running back Pierre Thomas misses his second consecutive practice with a left ankle injury as the Saints moved one day closer to their Sunday game against Carolina.
Quarterback Drew Brees was left off the practice report for the second day in a row despite having an MRI on Monday to check out his left knee.
Thomas injured his ankle late in Sunday’s loss to Atlanta and wasn’t in attendance at either of New Orleans’ (2-1) first two practices before the Panthers (0-3) game.
Regardless, Head Coach Sean Payton said Thomas is the type of player who doesn’t need to practice to play.
“Pierre will be a game-time decision,” Payton said. “If you asked me what are some of his strengths, he’s extremely intelligent with what we’re doing. Pierre is the type of player that could not practice during the week and play well on game day.
“I don’t know that that’s always the case. Certainly you’d like to see him get work and tomorrow we’re hopeful he’ll get work. The swelling is going down and he’s feeling better. You just got to give it that time and not hurry it but look closely at it.”
In addition to Thomas, linebacker Anthony Waters (hamstring), running back Reggie Bush (right fibula) and safety Roman Harper (right hamstring) were listed as did not practice.
Safety Usama Young (quad) was limited.
