New Orleans fullback Mike Karney, however, wasn't about to let him steal all the glory.

Saints Coach Sean Payton called for a quick handoff to Karney on a fourth-and-1 at the Falcons' 7-yard line with 6:16 remaining and the Saints trailing by three points. But when Karney got into his stance, Thomas started tapping him and tried to take his place in the formation.

Thomas was confused because he had been filling in for Karney as the team's fullback in the same formation for the past four weeks -- including earlier in Sunday's game. On this particular play, Thomas was supposed to line up at tailback.

"I was like, 'No, no, no, you're over there. They changed it this week. I was in the same meeting you were, buddy,' " joked Karney, who said he tracked down Thomas on the sideline after the touchdown and said, "Are you trying to take my bone from me, man? Don't ever try to take my bone from me. I don't get many bones."

Karney, who gained 2 yards on the run, has five carries for 9 yards this season on similar plays -- two of them for touchdowns. He was inactive for the past three games with a knee injury, and while he was out, he joked that he was worried he would never get another chance since Thomas was so effective as his replacement.

Payton said part of the reason he went with Karney in that situation was because the Falcons might not have been expecting it.

ROBY ON I.R.: The Saints added a 16th member to their injured reserve list -- kickoff returner Courtney Roby, who suffered an ankle injury Sunday.

The Saints didn't feel like Roby could recover quickly enough to be a factor in the final three games of the season, though they're happy with his performance over the past two months.

The Saints signed the 25-year-old free agent Oct. 16, then installed him as their primary kickoff returner Nov. 9. He averaged 24.8 yards on 19 returns, including a 62-yarder against Green Bay and a 54-yarder at Kansas City.

Payton said Thomas could potentially take over the full-time kick return duties, even though he has become a centerpiece of the offense.

"I just think at this time of the year, it's not uncommon to see guys that are starters serving as a kick returner or a punt returner," Payton said. "With our situation right now, I'm glad we have him. Obviously, returning that yesterday was significant."

The Saints also waived cornerback David Pittman on Monday to trim their roster to 53 players.

The Saints were carrying two extra players on the roster after veterans Will Smith and Deuce McAllister returned from the suspended list Friday. The league granted New Orleans an exemption through the weekend because of the circumstances.

SUSPENSION WATCH: Smith and McAllister are expected to remain on the active roster at least through Thursday's game at Chicago.

Their NFL-imposed four-game suspensions were temporarily halted by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson last Friday in St. Paul, Minn., after the NFL Players Association filed a federal lawsuit on their behalf. The suspensions will be on hold while Magnuson takes time to review the case.

According to Magnuson's clerk, the judge began a trial Monday and isn't expected to make any decisions on the suspension case before Friday, at the earliest.

"I'll be fine," McAllister said of the continued uncertainty surrounding his eligibility. "I mean, it's something I've been dealing with since August, so I'll be fine."

OTHER INJURIES: Aside from Roby, the Saints escaped Sunday's victory relatively healthy.

Payton said he hopes cornerback Randall Gay (concussion) and left tackle Jammal Brown (ankle sprain) can make the quick turnaround before Thursday's game.

"I think (Gay) is going to be fine," Payton said. "We take something like that seriously, but the tests that we did today seem positive, so that was encouraging."

MARRONE INTERVIEWS: Offensive coordinator/line coach Doug Marrone flew to Syracuse after the game Sunday to formally interview for the head coaching job at his alma mater, Syracuse.

Based on reports out of the Syracuse area, the school still is considering several candidates, and Marrone is not thought to be on the top of the list. But Athletic Director Daryl Gross was impressed by Marrone after feeling him out in a phone interview last week.

Marrone was not available for comment Monday, but he said last week that while he has "always wanted to be a head coach," he isn't "actively pursuing anything."

"I can't think of it during the season," Marrone said Friday. "During the season, my job is to be the best I can for the New Orleans Saints . I really feel that way, and both parties understand that."

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Jay Weiner contributed to this report. Mike Triplett can be reached at mtriplett@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3405.