The New Orleans Saints had the biggest disparity in carries between tailbacks Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas last Sunday at Jacksonville, with Ingram carrying the ball 17 times for 55 yards and Thomas six times for 36 yards.

Ingram now has almost twice as many carries as Thomas this year (53 to 27). But Saints Coach Sean Payton insisted that the rookie is not being featured by design.

“I think some of it is just how it unfolded,” Payton said. “There was a point in that second or third quarter where I said to Bret (Ingalls), ‘Let’s make sure I’m getting Pierre (Thomas) in there.’ There’s no exact science to the rotation. I do think the important thing is giving these guys the chance to get into a rhythm too. But it’s something that’s a challenge and there wasn’t anything specific.

“Take out the goal-line snaps and short yardage and you’re really talking about four or five snaps there. A lot of it is just how the game unfolded and the personnel groups we were in.”

Indeed, Ingram is getting almost all of the carries in short-yardage and goal-line situations. He has 10 carries when the Saints need one yard for a first down, while Thomas has zero. Thomas, meanwhile, is more of a passing target, with 11 receptions this year compared to four catches for Ingram.

That short-yardage role also factors into the runners’ average-per-carry numbers, since Ingram is running against some heavier run fronts. Thomas is averaging 5.0 yards per carry, while Ingram is averaging 3.5.

It will be interesting to see how their roles evolve, especially if second-year tailback Chris Ivory returns to the mix by the end of the month.

New Orleans Saints strong safety Roman Harper is going to be named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week after his two-sack performance against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, according to a league source.

In addition to his two sacks Harper delivered a big-time hit on a skinny post route by Earl Bennett. Harper could be fined for the blow. He led with his helmet, drilled Bennett in the chest with the crown of his helmet. Bennett left the game and did not return.

Harper also had seven tackles in the Saints’ 30-13 victory and forced a fumble.

- Defensive end Will Smith will return from his two-game suspension Wednesday and the Saints will have to make a roster move to add Smith to the active roster. The team made no announcements Tuesday but reserve running back Joique Bell posted this on his Twitter account Tuesday:

“Life throws a lot of curve balls at you, you just have to roll wit the punches and ….”GodsChild”

The Saints’ top three running backs – Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles and Mark Ingram – are all healthy after the first two games of the season. Coach Sean Payton is expected to announce the team’s move at his post-practice news conference Wednesday. 

Here’s what the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster looks like after all their roster moves this weekend. Keep in mind, it’s subject to change on a daily basis from here on out:

QB – Drew Brees, Chase Daniel

RB – Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Joique Bell

FB – Korey Hall, Jed Collins

WR – Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Adrian Arrington

WR – Lance Moore, Robert Meachem, Courtney Roby

TE – Jimmy Graham, David Thomas

LT – Jermon Bushrod, Charles Brown

LG – Carl Nicks, Brian de la Puente

C – Olin Kreutz, Matt Tennant

RG – Jahri Evans, de la Puente

RT – Zach Strief, Brown

RDE – *Will Smith (SUSPENDED), Turk McBride, Junior Galette

DT – Sedrick Ellis, Tom Johnson, Mitch King

NT – Shaun Rogers, Aubrayo Franklin

LDE – Cameron Jordan, Jeff Charleston

SLB – Will Herring, Martez Wilson

MLB – Jonathan Vilma, Jo-Lonn Dunbar

WLB – Scott Shanle, Jonathan Casillas, Ramon Humber

RCB – Tracy Porter, Patrick Robinson

LCB – Jabari Greer, Leigh Torrence, Johnny Patrick

FS – Malcolm Jenkins, Isa Abdul Quddus

SS – Roman Harper, Jonathon Amaya

K – John Kasay, Garrett Hartley

P – Thomas Morstead

LS – Justin Drescher

PUP- Chris Ivory

Tonight’s exhibition gamee for the New Orleans Saints against the Tennessee Titans in the Superdome won’t provide much of a dress rehearsal for New Orleans’ defense, which found itself embattled before Sunday night’s win at Oakland because of a lackluster effort in Game 2 at Houston.

Inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma said Wednesday he saw significant improvement in a 40-20 victory against the Raiders but conceded the defense was still sharpening its focus in the last two days of practice.

“We like to treat that third preseason game as close to a regular-season game as we can get,” Vilma said. “I felt like we definitely improved as a defense from that Houston game to the Oakland game. There were still some things we had to correct. We came out (Tuesday-Wednesday) and actually got some good work in, trying to work on those little things, little details. I feel we’re in a good place right now heading into next week against Green Bay.”

Specifically, Vilma said, was attention to basics.

“It’s always continuing on the fundamentals,” Vilma said Wednesday. “Our tackling was still a little spotty in the Oakland game at times. Our run fits weren’t exact at times. We harp on and preach hustling and effort. So we wanted to make sure we got something out of practice yesterday, got something out of practice today. And we did that.”

TONIGHT’S PARTICIPANTS: Coach Sean Payton said Wednesday that third-team quarterback Sean Canfield would start and get most of the reps tonight against the Titans, backed up by Chase Daniel.

“Our plan is somewhat similar to last year,” Payton said. “We’ll mix guys in there. There’ll be some starters playing. There’ll be some guys playing who aren’t starters in the beginning part of the game. A lot of guys will get a lot of playing time.

“We’ll try to get some of the veteran players, or guys who have been starters, some playing time. Specifically we’ll try to get Tracy Porter snaps. We’ll try to get Roman Harper snaps. Will Smith will take snaps. Carl Nicks will take snaps. There’ll be a handful of those players that may not have had the snap count in this preseason that normally they would have.”

Payton said he wasn’t sure that defensive end Jeff Charleston (ankle) will be able to play. Charleston was not at practice Wednesday.

Of note was the return of defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin to practice. He suffered a sprained left media collateral ligament against the Texans in Game 2.

Receiver Lance Moore (groin) was back at practice Wednesday, as were running back Pierre Thomas and Daniel, who did not work out Tuesday.

Rookie defensive end Cameron Jordan once again didn’t practice Wednesday. Payton indicated Tuesday that injury was the reason for Jordan’s absence, but he did not elaborate.

Injured kicker Garrett Hartley was also not at practice Wednesday.

Smith, who missed practice for personal reasons Tuesday, was back at work Wednesday.

ANIMATED CHAT: Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who conceded on Tuesday that there have been ongoing discussions regarding a new contract with the team — Brees is in the final year of his initial six-year, $60 million deal — was engaged in a lively discussion with General Manager Mickey Loomis after practice.

Brees’ talk with Loomis delayed him from tossing the ball around with actor Zac Efron, a practice visitor who’s in town for a movie shoot.

Brees was also chatting during practice with owner Tom Benson.

Just this week, the Philadelphia Eagles signed quarterback Michael Vick to a six-year, $100 million deal.

BETTER MIX: One of the criticisms of the Saints’ offense last year was its lack of balance, understandably top-heavy because of the ability of Brees and the passing game but somewhat lacking in running attack mode.

During this exhibition season, with the additions of rookie Mark Ingram and free-agent Darren Sproles, the renewed health of Pierre Thomas and the surprising efficiency of Joique Bell, the Saints have exhibited the possibilities of an improved run offense.

At least that’s what Brees has seen as the team heads into its relatively meaningless exhibition finale tonight against the Titans, one week from the nationally televised regular-season opener against the defending Super Bowl champion Packers.

“You look at the weapons we have in the backfield,” Brees said. “Obviously, Pierre Thomas, who’s been here for a long time, Mark Ingram, a rookie, who’s come in and really re-established his physical presence. Darren Sproles, a veteran who we didn’t even know all of the things he was capable of until he got here. He’s a guy who wows us every day, and we’re excited to see him continue to progress within his role in the offense.

“I’m excited to see (injured running back) Chris Ivory get healthy coming off of what he did last year. You watch a guy like Joique Bell in the game and Patrick (Cobbs, who was signed Aug. 16). And every one of these guys is taking advantage of their opportunities. And obviously the offensive line up front, despite the change at center and right tackle, they haven’t missed a beat. I feel like that’s one of the hardest-working groups we have on our team and that shows in their performance.”

Bell, who injured the posterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the exhibition opener against San Francisco, leads all rushers with 102 yards on 15 carries, a 6.8 per-carry average, with a touchdown.

Ingram has three rushing touchdowns in 19 carries, while Cobbs had four carries for 48 yards in Sunday’s exhibition win over Oakland.

Brees is aware that offensive multiplicity could be the end result of such depth at the position.

“There’s a lot of ways to use a back besides handing him the ball,” Brees said. “We’ve shown we can be very flexible in this offense going back to Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush (as) a one-two punch, Aaron Stecker, who saw a lot of time here and was a big part of what we did. He was the third guy, but the guy who at times had to step up for us and did exceptionally well.

“So I’ve looked at it over the years and within our offense and the way Sean Payton and our coaches game-plan, you’re always looking for opportunities for those guys. In the end, everybody wants to touch the ball and play, and obviously that’s not going to happen. That’s impossible. You definitely try to give all those guys a number of opportunities.”

••••••••

Jimmy Smith can be reached at jsmith@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3814.

Oxnard, Calif. — Pierre Thomas’ surgically-repaired ankle has been a non-issue so far during New Orleans Saints training camp.

He hasn’t missed a day of practice, and he’s been running strong – as evidenced by his 13-yard run to open Saturday night’s preseason game at Houston.

Thomas also gained 15 yards on a pass from quarterback Drew Brees against the Texans and finished the game with six carries for 33 yards.

Thomas, who labeled himself “85 percent” healthy at the start of camp because he said he still needed to get his full strength back and get into football shape, said he’s now up to “95 percent.”

“I’ve still gotta work on a few more things, but I’ll be 100 percent by the time the season comes,” Thomas said.

Thomas has been flying under the radar because of the hype surrounding newcomers Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles. But if he can indeed return to his 2009 form, he’ll be just as valuable to the Saints’ suddenly-deep rushing attack.

New Orleans Saints running back Chris Ivory has undergone sports hernia surgery, Coach Sean Payton announced after practice Friday.

Ivory, a rookie free agent last season who became a key contributor during the 2010 season, had missed all of camp while still recovering from foot surgery.

Payton said Ivory had the surgery in Philadelphia and that it should be about a three-week recovery period. The Saints’ first regular season game is Sept. 8 at Green Bay.

On Thursday the Saints released reserve running back Lynell Hamilton. The top backs healthy right now are Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles.

New Orleans Saints tailback Pierre Thomas fully participated in the team’s first training camp practice Friday, though he labeled himself at just “85 percent” recovered from offseason ankle surgery and beat himself up for fumbling twice.

Thomas admitted he was rusty after spending the entire summer working to get healthy. He said this was the first time he had really done any work with the ball in his hands. But he vowed to get better in that department, saying, “I’ll probably sleep with the ball tonight.”

Other than the fumbling, Thomas said he felt good and was able to cut and run at full speed. He said the extra 15 percent he needs to improve is just his strength in the left ankle.

“Guys told me I looked good. Other people would probably say I’m 100 percent,” Thomas said. “But I just know myself, and I know I need to get my strength all the way back.

“It’s gonna come. It’s gonna come quick.”

Thomas said the surgery he had performed by Dr. James Andrews shortly after last season was primarily to “tighten up” some loose joints and ligaments. He said no bones were broken and no screws were needed.

Thomas said he is excited about the additions of new tailbacks Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles. He said the depth at the position will allow the Saints to keep rotating in fresh legs and keep defenses off balance. And he said Sproles will give him another veteran presence who can help teach and tutor the younger tailbacks.