Already struggling to run the football this season, the Saints won’t have starting RB Pierre Thomas in Sunday’s game against the Panthers because of an ankle injury. That likely means veteran Ladell Betts will start.

Garrett Hartley has probably been getting a good deal of unsolicited free advice after missing a 29-yard field goal in overtime against Atlanta last week, a miss that help lead to a Falcons win.

NFL.com analyst Pat Kirwan is down on the sideline, passing along his observations as both teams begin to make their way onto the field for warmups.

Texans RB Steve Slaton should be benched in fantasy leagues in Week 13.

Saints likely to use kicker Garrett Hartley to replace John Carney today vs. the Redskins, according to team source.

Saints coach Sean Payton said he does not expect to have the services of kicker Garrett Hartley for the first four games of the season due to a failed drug test. Payton told the media assembled at Saints camp Sunday that Hartley used a banned substance, Adderall, in explaining why the club signed veteran free agent kicker John Carney this weekend.