Will Michael Thomas make his long-awaited return Sunday to the playing field? As of Friday, it remains a question.
The All-Pro wide receiver is listed as questionable for the Saints' Week 9 matchup with the Buccaneers. Two players whose statuses are clearer are quarterback Drew Brees (right shoulder) and running back Alvin Kamara (foot), as they were removed from the team's injury report. Their participation will be especially welcomed in an NFC South showdown with Tampa Bay.
Still, coach Sean Payton wasn't showing any of his cards when asked before the report was released whether Thomas or Brees would play.
"We'll see," Payton told reporters. "I thought we had a good week of preparation. And we'll wait till game day."
Thomas, of course, has been waiting about eight weeks to get back in a game. He was originally sidelined by an ankle injury in Week 1 before sustaining a hamstring injury in late October. Between injuries, New Orleans suspended him for a game for fighting a teammate. He finally returned to practice last week and might be ready to play this weekend.
We'll have our final answer Sunday night.
