<span>New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton said today that the Saints have reached an injury settlement with defensive tackle Hollis Thomas.  

Thomas was injured in the days leading up to the Saints' second preseason game of the preseason during a joint practice with the Houston Texans. Thomas suffered a torn triceps and had subsequent surgery to repair the muscle

Since Thomas was waived with an injury settlement, he is eligible to be re-signed by the Saints, or any other team, later in the season. If Thomas had gone on the reserve/injured list, he would have been lost for the season and unable to play this season.

"He knows if he gets this thing rehabbed and is able to come back 100 percent, then returning is certainly an option," coach Sean Payton said Thursday following the Saints' practice.

Thomas, 6-0, 335-pounds, is a 13-year veteran known for his prowess as a run-stopper. He has played in 154 regular season games throughout his career, including 28 regular season games for the Saints during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, and has racked up 658 career tackles and 20 sacks. Thomas played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1996-2005 before being traded to the Saints. He has started 121 career regular season games and also played in eight postseason games, with four starts, and owns 28 career postseason tackles as well as two sacks.