METAIRIE, Louisiana – The New Orleans Saints hope to get receiver Michael Thomas back from the reserve in time for Sunday’s playoff opening against the Chicago Bears. When asked if running back Alvin Kamara could potentially join him, coach Sean Payton said, “We’ll see.”
Saints number 2 (12-4) had a break in the schedule when his game was scheduled for Sunday afternoon instead of Saturday – since Sunday is the first day that Kamara will be eligible to return from the reserve / COVID list 19 whether it passes all COVID protocols throughout the week.
However, Kamara will not be able to practice or stay close to the team before the day of the game.
“Obviously, anything during the week will have to be Zoom (meetings),” said Payton, who was asked on Monday whether he would consider using Kamara or any other player in a playoff game, despite being away from the team throughout the week.
“I think it would depend 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 condition will also depend on further COVID tests and whether or not he will develop symptoms during the week. However, if he is eligible, it seems likely that the Saints will try to use him in some way, considering its value to the team.
Kamara just tied an 91-year-old NFL record with six touchdowns in Week 16 before being removed in Week 17. He led the NFL with 21 touchdowns this season and finished third in the league with 1,688 yards of scrimmage.
With or without Kamara in the lineup, the Saints should have their reserve backs eligible – including veteran Latavius Murray, who ran 119 yards and two touchdowns against Bears last season while Kamara was injured.
Murray, running back Dwayne Washington and defender Michael Burton were dropped for Week 17 on Saturday because they were considered close high-risk contacts with Kamara. They will all be able to return earlier this week if the test is not positive. Veteran RB / WR Ty Montgomery completed at the last minute and ended up running 105 yards in the Saints’ 33-7 victory over Carolina.
Meanwhile, Thomas is expected to be back in good health this week, after a minimum three-week stay in the wounded reserve. This will be great for an attack by the Saints that only left Thomas and quarterback Drew Brees healthy in the field together for a total of 10 rooms this season.
Thomas has struggled with a persistent sprained ankle all year after he first suffered in week 1. He came back in week 9 and played six more games. But Payton said the team had decided to rest him for the past three weeks so that the ankle had time to get as close to 100% as possible.
Brees reiterated on Sunday night that, “I know we’ll have Mike Thomas back – I think the last three weeks of the crash were great for him.”
Brees also appears to be recovering from 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung that kept him out of weeks 11-14. Brees showed his best pace and time in week 17, completing 22 of 32 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns.
“Obviously, we wanted to end the season by continuing to rise, and I think for me, to continue to feel healthier and more comfortable every week,” said Brees after the game.