In preparation for the Raiders Sunday in the Superdome, Saints head coach Sean Payton finished up a week of work in which corrections and keeping players fresh were the keys.
Payton all week stressed the importance of allowing the legs of the players to return on a short week, yet also figuring out a way to eliminate costly penalties. In two home games, the Saints have drawn 24 flags for a total of 225 yards.
COLSTON WANTS TO PLAY
Saints receiver Marques Colston hasn't played since the season opener against Tampa Bay. In that game, Colston tore a ligament in his left thumb. It was an injury that required surgery. Wednesday Colston returned to the practice field for the first time and worked the rest of the week on a limited basis with the team.
Colston's return is sooner than expected or predicted by doctors. "As far as I see it, there's a small chance for a setback. I think the doctor sees it otherwise," Colston said Friday afternoon. "He sees that there could be possible setbacks, but we got two different views. I just want to get back on the field pretty much."
"It is what it is, he's questionable," said Payton. "I think he feels pretty good. I was encouraged with what I saw this week."
Colston says he hasn't had any trouble catching passes and is playing as if he wasn't recovering from an injury. "The more you think about it, the more you put yourself at risk because you try to do different things to prevent things from happening and that's when something actually happens," Colston said. "I mean I feel like as long as I'm confident and I'm not thinking about it it's not going to be an issue."
So what will be the final verdict? Could Saints fans see number 12 on the field Sunday against the Raiders? Colston says the decision will come from upstairs on whether he's a go come game time. He says that he's fine if the decision is to play or to sit out another week. "I feel like I could play but you know obviously another week wouldn't hurt the healing process so we'll see what happens."
WHO ELSE IS IN AND OUT
OUT: CB Aaron Glenn (ankle), DT Sedrick Ellis (knee), and DT Antwan Lake (groin), all are out for the game on Sunday.
DOUBTFU: S Kevin Kaesviharn (Back), WR David Patten (groin), and TE Jeremy Shockey (Hernia) are doubtful.
QUESTIONABLE: CB Mike McKenzie (knee), RT John Stinchcomb (back), and C Jonathan Goodwin (hamstring) are probable. WR Marques Colston (thumb) is questionable.
ON TAP
The Saints will face the 1-3 Oakland Raiders on Sunday at noon inside the Superdome.
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