Ellis Needs To Step Up; DT Hollis Out Until October
Torn bicep muscle during joint practices puts Hollis out for two months

posted August 14, 2008 - print me!
updated August 14, 2008
neworleansprofootball.com

DT Hollis Thomas

DT Hollis Thomas called his torn bicep a "freak accident" and said that he doesn't hold anything against C Chris Myers, the Texan offensive lineman he was practicing against.

An MRI revealed the injury and Thomas had surgery this week and remains with the team.

The initial prognosis is for Thomas to miss two months, which may put him back in the field for the Saints' trip to London.

Seventh overall pick DT Sedrick Ellis was always figured to be a key cog in the rotation of the defensive tackles, but now will get more time switching between nose and off tackle. Kendrick Clancy best fits the bill of nose tackle, but if Ellis can outplay him over center that would allow Ellis and Young, the two quickest defensive tackles, to be on the field at the same time. The Saints also have super-sub Antwan Lake available.

However, both Ellis and Young were not on the practice field today. Ellis was receiving treatment for a sore ankle while Young was having a look at his perennially painful knee. Both are possible plays for Saturday.

Practice Gets Hot: Texans defensive lineman Earl Cochran took a swing at Saints G Jahri Evans during Thursday's practice, which ignited a small scuffle on the field. Afterwards, Evans, one of the team's best young players at any position, reportedly laughed it off. The crowd dispersed quickly though Cochran was the one to lose his helmet.

The teams held their final joint practice on Thursday and will practice individually on Friday before Saturday's preseason game.

Notes: The Broncos signed former short-time Saint DB Wale Dada... Kenny Chesney's tour bus was involved in an accident Wednesday morning in Jackson, MS, as the country singer was travelling from Jackson to New Orleans. Chesney arrived in New Orleans and checked in with the Saints during practice again on Thursday... The Saints are sponsoring the Cox televised Louisiana High School Athletic Association Game of the Week this fall...

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