New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton said Monday the team suffered some nicks in its loss to Atlanta, but the extent and severity of them will not be clear - or made clear - until Wednesday.
Running back Pierre Thomas hurt his left ankle late in the game. He played initially on the Saints first possession in overtime, but did not appear to be an option when the Saints had a first down on the Falcons 11-yard line. Still, Payton denied Thomas' status was a key factor in his decision to attempt a 29-yard field goal that would have won the game. Kicker Garrett Hartley pulled that attempt wide left.
"I think when you get down to that 10-yard line, you're weighing the turnover," he said. "And I think more Pierre's injury, because if we were going to do anything you probably hand the ball off. But once we got down to the 10, I think there is certainly a confidence level you have and you say, 'this is where we needed to be.'"
Quarterback Drew Brees also walked off the field Sunday flexing a knee and was attended to on the sideline, but he returned to the game and did not appear to be suffering. Cornerback Tracy Porter also went out early with what appeared to be a hamstring issue and he spent most of the remainder of the game riding a stationary bicycle on the sideline. Porter did return to action late in the game, however.