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Saints-Thomas
08/14/08 - 03:52 PM
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METAIRIE, La. (AP) - Saints defensive tackle Hollis Thomas could
be out two months with a right triceps injury, all but ensuring
that top draft pick Sedrick Ellis will be thrust into a major role
on the interior of the defensive line this season.
Saints head coach Sean Payton disclosed Thomas’ injury on
Thursday after the 12-year veteran had surgery to repair an injury
that had occurred during one-on-one pass rush drills on Wednesday
afternoon.
“They tell me the surgery went well but that’s all I know right
now,” Payton said.
Thomas was a starter for much of the past two seasons, and after
attending a weight loss clinic at Duke during the offseason,
reported to training camp lighter and more fit than he has been in
several seasons.
However, a cyst that developed in the back of his knee forced
him to miss numerous practices during the couple weeks of camp. He
had only recently returned to practice and was practicing with the
second team when he hurt his arm as the Saints and Houston Texans
held series of joint training sessions leading up to their
preseason game in New Orleans on Saturday night.
Depending on how the Saints’ confidence in Thomas’ recovery
increases or wanes in the coming weeks, the team could chose to
place him on injured reserve, ending his season, rather than
holding an active roster spot for him through the first
month-and-a-half of the regular season.
Ellis, who had been practicing often with the first team in
recent days, said he had been learning a lot from Thomas and was
sorry to see him go down.
“He’s a great guy to take the time to help a younger guy, but
I’m going to have to pick it up on my own now,” Ellis said. “We
wish him a great recovery and we’ve got to move on. ... It’s the
whole defensive line’s responsibility to help in those situations
that Hollis has left open from his injury, but I don’t feel any
pressure personally.”
Linebacker Scott Fujita, one of the Saints’ defensive captains
last season and Thomas’ teammate since 2006, said the veteran
interior lineman would be missed, no matter how well the rookie
plays.
“That is a big void to full. Hollis is one of those guys who
really prides himself on protecting the linebackers and keeping the
double teams off the linebackers, so that’s the kind of guy you
love to have in front of you,” Fujita said. “With the new guy,
obviously he’s got a whole different level of athleticism that’s
going to help him get a lot more involved in rushing the passer and
making plays on the ball.
“So a lot of that remains to be seen,” Fujita added. “We have
high expectations for him, but once you get into games and see how
he performs, the jury’s still out.”
Thomas started in 14 games last season and was in on 58 tackles,
including three sacks.
Ellis was taken seventh overall in last spring’s NFL draft. An
All-America selection and the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year
in 2007, he was expected to compete for a starting role this season
anyway.
In 13 games last season for USC, Ellis had 58 tackles, 12½
tackles for losses and 8½ sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and
was credited with batting down seven passes.

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