Wide receivers Atlanta Falcons Tre & # 39; Quan Smith and Brandon Marshall are inactive Thursday.

NEW ORLEANS – The Saints of New Orleans have few referees before Thursday night's game against rival Atlanta Falcons.

Rookie Tre "Quan Smith is inactive because of a minor foot injury. And veteran Brandon Marshall remains inactive after signing with the Saints 10 days ago.

This leaves Michael Thomas, Austin Carr, Keith Kirkwood and Tommylee Lewis to the first four receivers of the Saints.

Smith's injury should not be a long-term injury. He was able to train on Wednesday and said he was optimistic about his ability to play.

Smith's absence is a shame for both the team and for the third-round draft pick himself, having just made a breakaway on Sunday with 10 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown at the Philadelphia Eagles' 48-7 loss to New Orleans.

But again, the Saints proved they could win without Smith playing a key role as he had no target in his 51-14 loss to Cincinnati in Week 10.

And the Saints (9-1) have proven all year long that they can discharge their dues without many experienced receivers. This is one of the best teams in NFL history with 37.8 points per game. Drew Brees is poised to earn the highest pass mark in NFL history with 126.9 – despite placing receivers Ted Ginn Jr., Cameron Meredith and Dez Bryant in the reserve injured.

Last week, the Eagles were the first defense to focus on the withdrawal of running back Alvin Kamara, Thomas and Saints, by repeatedly doubling their team. So Brees said that he went to the young receivers on the sidelines and said, "You're the opponents, the ball is coming towards you, so get ready, we're going to have a big day."

Indeed, Smith played an elusive match, Carr had his first career career and Kirkwood had three passes for 33 yards in the first quarter in his second NFL game.

Thursday night's game will be a particularly important audition for Kirkwood, an unprepared rookie of Temple, if he wants to prove he should stay ahead of Marshall in the New Orleans hierarchy. The 6-3, 210-pounder has impressed over the past two weeks since his promotion of the training team with a total of five catches for 78 yards.