METAIRIE, La. – Receiver Michael Thomas and running back Mark Ingram are both healthy enough that they weren’t even listed as questionable on the New Orleans Saints' injury report on Friday.
Essentially, the Saints declared both of them good to go for Sunday’s game at the Arizona Cardinals – which should give a boost to New Orleans’ ailing offense, which has scored a total of one touchdown over the past two weeks.
Thomas practiced fully on Friday and said he expects to play after missing last Sunday’s game with a bruised foot.
“It was tough not being out there to be able to be able to help my team get a victory and just to contribute and add value,” said Thomas, who admitted his disappointment in missing his first NFL game was “something I couldn’t hide.”
“I was pretty down for missing that game. But I’m in good spirits now, and I’m happy to be able to return and play this game I love,” said Thomas, who said his foot got stepped on during one of the final plays in New Orleans’ Week 13 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Thomas said if it was up to him, he would have played last week at less than 100 percent, but it was coach Sean Payton’s decision – and Thomas agreed it was in his best interest not to “risk it.”
Ingram, meanwhile, has been playing through knee and toe injuries in recent weeks. Ingram admitted Friday that he has been playing at less than 100 percent, but he said, “I’m feeling a lot better this week.”
“I have been dealing with a few things, but who isn’t in Week 15 of an NFL season?” Ingram said. “I’m feeling a lot better this week about how I’m moving around, how my body is responding this week. So, I’m excited about this week and feel like I’ll be able to be myself out there.”
It’s tough to say how much Ingram’s injuries have limited him since the entire Saints’ run game has been so anemic over the past two weeks – a total of 96 yards on 28 carries over that two-game span.
And even though he is healthier, Ingram will likely remain in a timeshare with fellow veteran RB Tim Hightower, who is fired up to make his return to Arizona, where he began his career from 2008-2010.
The Saints declared two players out for Sunday’s game – top cornerback Delvin Breaux (shoulder) and linebacker Stephone Anthony (knee).
Center Max Unger (foot), linebacker Craig Robertson (shoulder), safety Shiloh Keo (hamstring) and running back Daniel Lasco (hamstring) are all listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis on Friday. Fullback John Kuhn (groin) practiced fully and is not listed with any injury status.
