NEW ORLEANS — Sean Payton doesn't often show his hand until he absolutely has to.

The New Orleans Saints' head coach hasn't been very subtle when discussing the speculation that Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers in the Louisiana Superdome will be the last for running back Deuce McAllister with the Saints.

Payton hid nothing when asked if he was mindful that Sunday's game against the Panthers could be McAllister's last with the Saints and would that affect the team's game plan around the goal line.

"Sure," Payton said. "All of those things maybe later than earlier, but certainly I have an appreciation for what he's gone through, especially this season with just dealing with the injury and the rehab and all of those things as they relate specifically to his health."

The Saints' coach also said he'll make sure McAllister will receive enough touches and make sure he's introduced with the offensive starters on Sunday.

McAllister's contract doesn't expire until after the 2012 season, but the 30-year-old running back will likely be pushed out the door. He's due to make at least $7 million toward the team's salary cap. McAllister has been pushed to No. 3 on the tailback depth chart behind Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush and his knee injuries continue to be a concern.

"You want to leave on your own terms and whether it's good or bad, eventually you're going to have to go," McAllister said. "But I feel like I can still play this game. So whatever happens as far as playing it here, there, wherever it may be, that's going to happen, but I want to be here."

The former Ole Miss standout has had his left knee drained several times this season and has hindered his playing time. He has rushed for 378 yards on only 99 carries this season and landed in the end zone five times.

McAllister has endured the speculation throughout the much of the latter part of the season already. He was suspended for four games by the league after testing positive for a banned diuretic, but the suspension has been put on hold as the process is being played out in the legal system.

If the suspension is upheld, McAllister could be suspended the first four games of the 2009 season and may deter other teams from signing McAllister right away if the Saints release him. The Saints' all-time leading rusher and touchdown scorer doesn't want to pay attention to anything else except Sunday's game against the Panthers.

"All I can do is go out and play and whatever happens after that is going to happen," McAllister said. "I'm going to play again. There are a couple more years I still want to play. I have a contract, you know, so we'll see what happens."

He said there are no plans for retirement yet and the constant chatter of McAllister's demise hasn't affected him too much.

When asked if he still views himself as a starter in the league, a realistic McAllister said it all depends on the situation. McAllister also said his role with the Saints going into next year will be a factor as to whether or not he'd like to return.

But McAllister may see plenty of playing time Sunday as Thomas may not suit up with wrist and ankle injuries and with Bush already on injured reserve. If Thomas can't play, McAllister and Mike Bell will split carries and Lynell Hamilton would be brought up from the practice squad.

But he and his teammates understand this could be McAllister's final call in New Orleans.

Players around the locker room all start answering the lingering question about McAllister's tenure by saying they hope he still with the team next season. Many realize, though, McAllister may not be.

"It's been such an honor for me to play with a guy like that and I hope that it extends further, but in this business you never know," quarterback Drew Brees said. "He's meant so much to us, not only his productivity, but the kind of guy he is in the locker room and his leadership ability and speaking out when something needs to be said."