(AP) The New Orleans Saints ruled out top receiver Michael Thomas and five other starters for Sunday's game against the Lions in Detroit.
Thomas, a two-time All-Pro who last season set an NFL single-season record with 149 catches, practiced throughout this week as he tries to come back from a sprained ankle suffered in Week 1. However, the Saints ultimately decided Friday that he would not be ready to return this weekend.
Also out for Sunday are: starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Janoris Jenkins (shoulder); tight end Jared Cook (groin); left guard Andrus Peat (ankle); and defensive end Marcus Davenport (elbow, toe).
Lattimore practiced Wednesday and Jenkins on Thursday, but were both absent Friday.
Saints coach Sean Payton had expressed optimism that Davenport, who has yet to play this season because of an elbow injury, would return Sunday. But after practicing Wednesday, Davenport did not practice the rest of the week and the club's official injury report reflected a new toe injury.
With Davenport not playing in the first three weeks, opposing offenses have been blocking top Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan with double-teams and he has yet to have a sack after having 15 1/2 last season.
Peat has not practiced since his injury during last Sunday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Cook also had not practiced since apparently pulling his groin against Green Bay.
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