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METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints expect to pick up injured reserve wide receiver Michael Thomas in time for Sunday’s playoff opener against the Chicago Bears. When asked if running back Alvin Kamara could join him, coach Sean Payton replied: “We’ll see.”
Saints No.2 (12-4) took a break from the schedule when their game was scheduled for Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday – since Sunday is the first day Kamara will be eligible to return from the reserve / COVID roster 19 if he passes all COVID protocols throughout the week.
However, Kamara will not be able to train or be in the squad until match day.
“Obviously everything that happens during the week will have to be Zoom (meetings),” said Payton, who was asked on Monday if he would consider using Kamara or any other player in a playoff game while he was away from the team all week.
“I think it would depend on the player and the situation,” Payton said. “But a big part of that will just be our decision based on where we think we are with the week, the player. We have to be smart.”
Kamara’s status will also depend on whether COVID testing continues and whether or not he develops symptoms during the week. However, if he is eligible, it would seem likely that the Saints will try to use him to some extent given his value to the team.
Kamara just tied a 91-year-old NFL record with six touchdown passes in Week 16 before being sidelined in Week 17. He led the NFL with 21 touchdowns this season and has finished third in the league with 1,688 yards scrimmage.
With or without Kamara in the roster, the Saints should have their eligible substitute running backs – including veteran Latavius Murray, who ran 119 yards and two TDs against the Bears last season while Kamara was injured.
Murray, running back Dwayne Washington and fullback Michael Burton were all ruled out for Week 17 on Saturday because they were seen as close, high-risk contacts with Kamara. All will be eligible to return early this week if they do not test positive. Veteran RB / WR Ty Montgomery replaced at the last minute and ended up running for 105 yards in the Saints’ 33-7 win in Carolina.
Meanwhile, Thomas is expected to return to near full health this week after a minimum stay of three weeks in the injured reserve. That will be important for a Saints offense that has had only Thomas and healthy quarterback Drew Brees on the field together for a total of 10 quarters this season.
Thomas struggled with a nagging ankle sprain all year after suffering it for the first time in Week 1. He returned in Week 9 and played six more games. But Payton said the team decided to put it down over the past three weeks so the ankle has time to get as close to 100% as possible.
Brees reiterated on Sunday night that: “I know we’re getting Mike Thomas back – I think the last three weeks on shore have been great for him.”
Brees, too, appears to be on the cusp of healing from the 11 broken ribs and punctured lung that put him on the sidelines in Weeks 11-14. Brees showed his best pace and timing at Week 17, completing 22 of 32 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns.
“Obviously we wanted to end the season by continuing to climb, and I think for me to continue to feel healthier and more comfortable every week,” Brees said after the game.
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