Pierre Thomas To Return for New Orleans Saints, Chris Ivory To Still Get Carries

The New Orleans Saints backfield is about to get crowded.

With Reggie Bush back from a broken fibula and Chris Ivory lighting it up with 254 yards and five touchdowns in his last three games, there’s no hurry to get Pierre Thomas back on the field.

Thomas has missed nine games with an ankle injury, and will likely return to the field in Week 14.

While head coach Sean Payton has not made an official proclamation that Thomas would be ready, he is not shy about his optimism.

“I think he’s going to play, I do,” said Payton. “There’s a lot of optimism he’ll be involved in this plan... I am optimistic he’ll play.”

Thomas will join the rookie Ivory as a running option with Bush still primarily involved in the passing game. Ivory has started four games this season and tallied 636 yards with 5.2 yards per carry.

He has also had two 100-yard games, a 99-yard performance and has scored multiple touchdowns in his last two games.

“Chris has done a number of good things and I don’t want to affect his snap count at all in regards to his carries,” said Payton. “We’ll be smart about who’s up and then having the plan that we think is best for our team, but certainly he’s earned the reps that he’s getting now and the touches that he’s getting now.”

For Ivory, Thomas’ return could not come at a worse time, as he is slowly establishing himself as the go-to back. However, Ivory refuses to let Thomas’ return effect his drive.

"I've never looked at myself as a No. 1 guy, " Ivory told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "When my number is called, I'm just going to go out and just do what Chris can do. I'm not really focused on, 'Am I still going to get these carries or are they still going to play me as much as they are now and give me the ball as much as they are now?'

"Like I said, I've got a role on this team. I think everybody has a role. I think my role will still remain the same."

The Saints and their trio of running backs host the St. Louis Rams on Sunday at 3:05 p.m. CST.

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