Coach Sean Payton said earlier this week that he’d like to see more consistency from his tight end, Coby Fleener. But no one is ringing an alarm or throwing their hands up at this early juncture.

“Listen, I’ve had more time with guys like Brandin Cooks, Willie (Snead), Brandon Coleman, even Michael Thomas at this point because Coby was banged up a little in the offseason,” quarterback Drew Brees said. “The more time that we get together, the more the confidence builds, the more you find everyone’s role in all of this. I’m confident as we progress here that he’s going to be an even bigger part of the offense.”

It hasn't been a good start for Fleener, but the story notes that Ben Watson only had five catches for 31 yards at this point last season (on nine targets) and he finished with 74 catches for 825 yards. If possible, Fleener should be benched until he starts to produce, but it's too early to send him packing.

Michael Thomas has No. 1 receiver potential.

Make no mistake: Brandin Cooks is still the best wide receiver on the Saints. But their second-round pick has been the summer darling thus far, consistently making impressive plays at The Greenbrier and adding a couple more in the preseason opener against the Patriots. Michael Thomas' size, ball skills and run-after-catch instincts should help him contribute significantly as a rookie, and he should continue to grow.

Thomas is expected to replace Marques Colston's production in the lineup, but he could push Willie Snead (who has also had a good camp) if he continues to shine.

The New Orleans Saints' top wide receiver Brandin Cooks returned to practice Saturday.

Running back Mark Ingram is sitting out practice Saturday.

Cooks was out Thursday and Friday. Meanwhile, Ingram was out Friday after getting dinged up on Thursday.

Saints running back Mark Ingram and WR Brandin Cooks sitting out practice Friday.

The story said Ingram was limited in team drills Thursday, and clearly, the team wants to give him some time to recover from his ailment.

Coach Sean Payton declined to discuss Brandin Cooks’ injury, saying he won’t discuss daily injuries in training camp. The third-year receiver appeared to get dinged late in Wednesday’s practice, but did not leave the field with trainers.

According to the story, a league source said Cooks was just sitting out as a precaution. Obviously the Saints need a healthy Cooks this season, as the former first-round pick emerged as their top playmaker last year.

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks was in pain at the end of Wednesday's practice after cornerback Delvin Breaux fell on top of him.

Apparently, the pain was serious enough to hold Cooks out of practice Thursday.

No other specifics were given but we could learn more after practice today.

Nick Underhill on WR Brandin Cooks:

I would set the floor at 1,200 yards. I think he could even flirt with 1,500 if he has a couple big games. I think that having other weapons like Michael Thomas and Coby Fleener should help open things up for him. Fleener is a guy that can draw safety help, and Cooks was almost unguardable last season against single-high coverage. If that remains true, Cooks should be freed up for a few more shot plays.

1,200 yards would push Cooks into WR1 territory in both formats. The Saints spread the ball around, and the last receiver to crack the 1,200-yard mark was Marques Colston in 2007. Jimmy Graham cracked it twice in five seasons.