National Football League

Saints RB Thomas to miss third straight game

Published Oct. 21, 2010 8:30 p.m. ET

foxsports

Saints leading rusher Pierre Thomas will miss his third straight game on Sunday in Tampa Bay while he continues to rehabilitate a left ankle sprain.

Thomas says he still feels a little pain when he jogs or tries to make a lateral cut, but he also is pleased that the swelling has gone down.

Thomas accounted for 280 total yards from scrimmage and one touchdown rushing in the Saints' first three games. His injury occurred as he was being tackled near the end of a game-tying drive late in the fourth quarter of New Orleans' overtime loss to Atlanta in Week 3.

Meanwhile, starting defensive end Will Smith practiced on a limited basis on Friday because of his groin injury and was listed as questionable for this weekend's game.