And, just like that, we likely saw the last open Saints practice of training camp. The Black & Gold have their preseason finale Saturday, then comes the big roster cut to 53 and regular season mode. Not seen at this workout were:
K Wil Lutz
WR Tre'Quan Smith
CB Ken Crawley
C/G Will Clapp
T Terron Armstead
TE Adam Trautman
TE Nick Vannett
DT Malcolm Roach
DE Payton Turner – The Saints 1st round pick has been out since Aug. 11th.
Also absent was undrafted rookie Bryce Thompson. Coach Payton revealed the safety was waived/injured. The team did get CB KeiVarae Russell back from the COVID reserve list who was at practice for the first time since August 9th.
QB comparison
Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston finished 9-of-15 passing on the day. Winston's first attempt was broken up by corner Marshon Lattimore, intended for WR Marquez Callaway. On the next play, Alvin Kamara busted out the hit-stick to run over safety Marcus Williams. Just a reminder to anyone who’s thinking the team’s top weapon needs any preseason playing time. Drafting AK top-3 in fantasy football is an easy decision.
Winston showed off his mobility, escaping pressure to find Deonte Harris over the middle, but also tossed one too high for 6ft4 target Lil'Jordan Humphrey. He would also overthrew Humphrey in the end zone during a red zone drill, but did get Callaway the ball for a score on his final throw of the day.
Hill would found rookie Kawaan Baker over the middle for a nice gain. The 7th round pick out of South Alabama will likely be a player heading to the practice squad.
Hill would hit TE Juwan Johnson for a big play down the seam.
But, was also nearly picked-off by LB Chase Hansen. Taysom went on to lead 2 TD drives in the red-zone. Easop Winston Jr. made a scoring grab while Hill ran one in from 4 yards out. His final throw of the session was incomplete at the goal line for WR Kevin White.