Saints All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas has reportedly returned to practice on a limited basis ahead of Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears.  Coach Sean Payton is hopeful that Thomas will be available on Sunday.

Cut 16 (09) “significant”

LSU named a pair of Carolina Panthers to its coaching staff.  Quarterbacks coach Jake Peetz is the Tigers’ new Offensive Coordinator and offensive assistant DJ Mangas will be the Passing Game Coordinator.  Both of these coaches worked with former LSU assistant Joe Brady this past season.  Brady was LSU’s passing game coordinator in 2019 and connected well with Heisman Winner Joe Burrow, ultimately winning the national championship.  Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the goal is to re-create that magic, but with different coaches and players.

Cut 20 (12) “in there”

Louisiana Tech’s receiving corps has gotten a little thinner as senior wideout Cee Jay Powell has entered the transfer portal.  Powell was one of the more consistent pass catchers for the Bulldogs the last two seasons.  He was second on the team in receptions during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, totaling 80 catches for 759 yards.

The New Orleans Pelicans dropped a close one to the Oklahoma City Thunder last night 111-110.  The Pelicans were led offensively by Zion Williamson’s 29 points and Brandon Ingram’s 24 point double-double.  While the team shot 49 percent from the floor, they shot just 4-22 from three-point range.

Nicholls St took down the Lamar Cardinals 76-69 to improve to 3-5 on the season.  Najee Garvin led the way for the Colonels with 19 points and 8 rebounds.

The Southeastern Louisiana men’s basketball team fell to Sam Houston 70-52 last night.  The Lions will travel to Thibodeaux to take on Nicholls on Saturday at 5 p.m.

Northwestern State lost 75-67 to Incarnate Word last night, dropping their record to 1-12.