Mike Triplett of the New Orleans Times-Picayune confirms Pierre Thomas is likely to see the biggest increase in touches and production following Darren Sproles' hand fracture. Triplett expects a "little" more action for Mark Ingram, and Chris Ivory may now be active on game days. We'd add that UDFA Travaris Cadet can do some of the same things Sproles did in the passing game, although he's not nearly as explosive a football player. Thomas' value skyrockets from low-end flex option to locked-in RB2/flex with legitimate RB1 scoring potential in a high-powered offense, though. He needs to be in lineups for Week 9 against Philly.

Pierre Thomas rushed eight times for 43 yards in New Orleans' Week 8 loss to the Broncos, adding two catches for six yards. Thomas has settled in ahead of Mark Ingram as New Orleans' No. 1 back, but that doesn't make for a fantasy bonanza in Drew Brees' offense. The fact that tonight was Thomas' second highest rushing output of the season tells you all you need to know about his fantasy value. He's a poor flex option despite typically strong running. There just aren't enough carries to be had in New Orleans.

Pierre Thomas rushed nine times for 30 yards in New Orleans' Week 5 win over the Chargers, adding two catches for 40 yards. As has become the norm this season, Thomas was the Saints' most effective runner, but he made it 5-for-5 on failing to carry the ball more than nine times. The Saints simply have less interest than ever in establishing a ground game, making Thomas hard to recommend as anything more than a bench option fantasy leagues despite his 13 catches for 139 yards.

Pierre Thomas rushed nine times for just 14 yards and added two receptions for -1 yard at Green Bay in Week 4. The Saints have established a ground attack in just one of four games so far. Thomas had no room to run on Sunday and was tossed for a loss on a screen pass. He's on pace for 1,004 total yards on 156 touches through four games. Thomas is a mere flex option versus the Chargers in Week 5.

Pierre Thomas was held to 11 yards on six carries and 55 yards on four receptions versus the Chiefs in Week 3. Outside of Darren Sproles' 47-yard run, the Saints could get nothing going on the ground. Thomas should have had a 9-yard touchdown on a diving, one-handed catch, but it was overturned on replay despite inconclusive evidence. Thomas is averaging 79.3 scrimmage yards on 9.3 touches per game heading into Week 4 at Green Bay.

Pierre Thomas forced 12 missed tackles on 13 touches versus the Panthers in Week 2. Pro Football Focus joked that Thomas "nearly broke our Elusive Rating" with his performance at Carolina, slipping defenders, breaking tackles and carrying multiple Panthers on his back for the most impressive 143 yards you will see. His effort was off the charts and should earn him a dozen touches per week going forward. Darren Sproles has yet to carry the ball through two games.

Pierre Thomas led the Saints with 110 yards on nine carries and added four receptions for 33 yards versus the Panthers in Week 2. Thomas ran like a man possessed all afternoon. He dragged a gang of tacklers to the 1-yard line on one run, only to lose the touchdown to Mark Ingram on the next play. The 143 scrimmage yards are the fourth-most of Thomas' career and his highest one-game total since 2008. He's a fine flex play against the Chiefs in Week 3.

Pierre Thomas is fully recovered from the concussion that knocked him out of the Saints' playoff loss at San Francisco. "I'm great," said Thomas. "Ankle's all good. Body's feeling good. Head's feeling good." It's not clear how long the concussion symptoms lingered, though coach Sean Payton said a couple of days after the collision that Thomas was going to be "just fine."

Pierre Thomas (head) was absent from the Saints' locker room following Saturday's Divisional Round loss, but coach Sean Payton said he was "going to be o.k." Donte Whitner's thundering first-quarter hit appeared to leave Thomas momentarily unconscious, and it's quite likely he's dealing with a concussion. Thomas' absence made it nearly impossible for the Saints to run the ball against the 49ers' top-ranked run defense, and called to mind their Wild Card loss to the Seahawks last season, where an injury-plagued backfield led by Julius Jones could get little going on the ground. It was the kind of the day the Saints thought they'd be able to avoid when they made Mark Ingram a first-round pick.

Pierre Thomas was sent to the locker room on the first drive of the Divisional round playoff game against the 49ers.