With Saints running back Mike Bell nursing a sprained MCL, the natural assumption this week was that Pierre Thomas would take over the primary running back duties.
Thomas has been hobbled by his own knee injury, and was active for Week Two, but only saw one rep against Philadelphia.
Despite practicing “fully” Wednesday, it appears Thomas still isn’t 100%. Jeff Duncan of the New Orleans Times-Picayune tweeted Wednesday that Lynell Hamilton took the most reps with the first-team Wednesday and expects a heavy load this week against Buffalo.
(That sound you heard was fantasy football owners racing to the waiver wire. Although we wouldn’t get too excited.)
Thomas has been practicing with a bulky knee brace, and the Saints will apparently be careful re-introducing him to the lineup.
Another option, of course, would be to let Reggie Bush carry the load. But Saints coach Sean Payton has been down that road, and it looks like he won’t be going down it again.