METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints expect to get receiver Michael Thomas back from the injured reserve in time for Sunday’s playoff opener against the Chicago Bears. When asked if Alvin Kamara might run back with him, coach Sean Payton said, “We’ll see.”
The No. 2 seeded Saints (12-4) took a scheduled break when their game was scheduled for Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday – as Sunday is the first day Kamara will be eligible to return from the reserve / COVID 19 list if he passes all the COVID protocols all week.
However, Kamara will not be able to practice or be near the team for the match day.
“Obviously, everything has to be Zoom (meetings) during the week,” said Payton, who was asked on Monday if he would consider using Kamara or any other player in a playoff game, despite not being there all week. the team was.
“I think it depends on the player and the situation,” said Payton. “But a lot 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 also depends on further COVID testing and whether or not he develops symptoms over the course of the week. However, if he qualifies, it seems likely that the Saints will try to use him in some way, given his value to the team.
Kamara just tied a 91-year-old NFL record with six touchdown runs in Week 16 before being sidelined in Week 17. He led the NFL with 21 touchdowns this season, finishing third in the league with 1,688 yards from scrimmage.
With or without Kamara in the line-up, the Saints should qualify their backup running backs – including veteran Latavius Murray, who ran 119 meters last season and two touchdowns against the Bears while Kamara was injured.
Murray, backsliding Dwayne Washington and fullback Michael Burton were all ruled out for week 17 on Saturday as they were considered risky close contacts with Kamara. They are all eligible to return early this week if they do not test positive. Veteran RB / WR Ty Montgomery came in at the last minute, finishing 105 meters in the Saints ’33-7 victory in Carolina.
Meanwhile, Thomas is expected to be almost completely healthy again this week after spending a minimum of three weeks in the injured reserve. That will be big for a Saints offense where Thomas and quarterback Drew Brees were healthy on the field for a total of 10 quarters this season.
Thomas struggles with a nagging ankle sprain throughout the year after first suffering from it in week 1. He returned in week 9 and played six more games. But Payton said the team decided to rest him for the last three weeks so the ankle would have time to get as close to 100% as possible.
Brees reiterated on Sunday night, “I know we’re going to bring Mike Thomas back – I think the last three weeks he was down have been great for him.”
Brees also appears to be on the mend of the 11 broken ribs and punctured lung that sidelined him from weeks 11-14. Brees showed his best rhythm and timing to date in Week 17, with 22 of 32 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns.
“Obviously we wanted to end the season by continuing to climb, and I think I would continue to feel healthier and more comfortable every week,” Brees said after the game.