Saints Wednesday Injury Report

Only one player was held entirely out of practice Wednesday, and that was Ladell Betts with a neck injury. Running back Pierre Thomas, along with special teamer and linebacker Anthony Waters, practiced on a limited basis with ankle injuries. Pierre Thomas has not played since Week 3 in a home loss to Atlanta, when Thomas sprained his ankle late in the 4th quarter.

Coach Sean Payton said Thomas may return this Sunday against the Bengals, saying, "We kind of targeted this week as a goal date." Payton also noted that in recent weeks Thomas has "turned the corner" in regards to his rehab work.

Saints safety Darren Sharper and tight end Jeremy Shockey are both expected to return to the field Sunday against the Bengals. Sharper suffered a hamstring injury in week 9 against the Panthers, and Shockey bruised his ribs in the same game.

While the Saints prepare for a week 13 game, the injury report is as short as it's been all season. That bodes well for New Orleans as they go into the final strech of the regular season.