NFL.com

The New Orleans Saints will be down at least two starters — running back Pierre Thomas and cornerback Randall Gay — when they play the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay on Sunday.

Both were declared out of the NFC South matchup Friday, and defensive end Will Smith (groin) was a limited participant in practice and is listed as questionable.

It will be the third consecutive game Thomas has missed because of a sprained left ankle.

“I’m a little frustrated, but hey, it’s coming along,” said Thomas, who told the Times-Picayune his ankle is “starting to look like a normal ankle again.”

Thomas said he’s doesn’t want to risk a setback by returning before he is ready.

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Dave Walker, The Times-Picayune

Give Hoda Kotb an assist for the best sports photograph of the year.

Covering the culmination of the New Orleans Saints’ Super Bowl season for the “Today” show, she helped get Baylen Brees into his daddy’s hands on the Lombardi Trophy podium.

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Wrapping up the New Orleans Saints‘ 30-20 loss against the Arizona Cardinals.

What it means: There are holes in the machine that rolled to a Super Bowl title last season. We had seen some cracks in the first four games, but now a lot of problems have been exposed. Yes, the Saints have some injuries, but that’s no excuse. When you go up against a mediocre Arizona team that’s starting undrafted rookie Max Hall at quarterback and you’ve got Drew Brees, you’ve got some pretty big problems.

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By Pat Yasinskas

Let’s continue the flow of great stuff from ESPN Stats & Information with some numbers on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints that I think are pretty interesting.

There’s been a lot of talk about how the Saints haven’t been as productive offensively as they were last year. No argument here. However, there’s one area where Brees and the Saints are really shining.

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By Pat Yasinskas

FALLING

3. New Orleans’ offensive line. It’s not what it was a year ago. That’s a little disappointing because the line returned intact, but it hasn’t been dominant. Drew Brees is getting pressured more than usual, the running game’s been only ordinary and All-Pro guard Jahri Evans has developed a sudden knack for getting called for holding penalties.

RISING

3. Usama Young, safety, Saints. He’s usually just a special-teams player. But a series of injuries forced him into the strong safety spot in Sunday’s victory against Carolina. With the Panthers close to the range where they could kick a game-winning field goal, Young stepped up and had a tackle where he dropped DeAngelo Williams for a four-yard loss. That and a sack by free safety Malcolm Jenkins on the next play took the Panthers definitively out of field-goal range.

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By Pat Yasinskas

Although the New Orleans Saints are 3-1, it’s hard not to look at the offensive numbers and spot at least some causes for concern.

The Saints are averaging 19.8 points a game. Through four games last season, they were averaging 36 points. They’ve averaged 344 yards in total offense. At this point last season, they were averaging 414.3 yards.

So what’s been the difference?

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ESPN.com news services

The New Orleans Saints are planning for newly signed John Carney to serve as the team’s kicker Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The 46-year-old Carney signed with the Saints this week after starting kicker Garrett Hartley missed a 29-yard field goal in overtime Sunday that would have given the Saints a 27-24 win over the Atlanta Falcons.

Hartley remains on the Saints’ roster.

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By Pat Yasinskas

The NFL just announced its Players of the Month for September and the NFC South avoided a shutout.

That’s because New Orleans’ Courtney Roby saved the day. Roby has been named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Month for September. It’s a good choice, because Roby is a guy who really doesn’t get the attention he deserves. He’s the first New Orleans non-kicker to earn the award since Tyrone Hughes in October 1994.

Roby is an all-around special-teams player. His primary role is as a kickoff return man. He averaged 25.8 yards per return in the first three games, but that’s not all Roby did. He also plays on the coverage units.

Roby’s made five special-teams tackles, including at least one in every game. He also recovered a fumble on a muffed punt in San Francisco that set up a field goal in a New Orleans victory.

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By Pat Yasinskas

FALLING

Marques Colston, wide receiver, Saints. The guy who is supposed to be New Orleans’ best wide receiver and maybe even the best receiver in the NFC South had just four catches for a very inconsequential 25 yards Sunday. Colston has yet to catch a touchdown pass this season. With his mediocre start and the quarterback struggles in Carolina taking a toll on Steve Smith, it’s become abundantly clear that Atlanta’s Roddy White is the best wide receiver in the division

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