Tight end Nick Vannett got COVID during the 2020 season, but the severe flu he was battling this week actually came with more severe symptoms.
Vannett had been absent for two days of camp practices due to the illness, he said after his return on a scorching Saturday morning in Metairie.
"After Wednesday's practice I felt like I just got hit by a train. I knew it was a hard practice, but I didn't think my body would feel like that already after four or five practices," Vannett said. "I just thought that I was dehydrated so I just got an IV. I drank from fluids and felt a little better, but the next morning I couldn't get out of bed so I knew something was up."
Vannett took a test for COVID, which came back negative, and then went to the hospital where his flu diagnosis was confirmed. He was joined in his return by newly signed tight end Josh Pederson, the son of ex-Eagles coach Doug Pederson. Tight ends Adam Trautman, Nick Vannett and Juwan Johnson were also in action, while Ethan Wolf remains out with an ankle injury.
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The absence was a minor roadblock in an offseason dedicated to learning the Saints' system and fitting in the best way possible as the team looks to replace Jared Cook and longtime blocking tight end Josh Hill.
But he'll have to contend with the New Orleans heat and humidity first, which the team got a bit of a break from with cooler temperatures Thursday and Friday.
"I came out, had a little pep in my step. Then we went through individual and I was like 'man, I'm not as ready as I thought I was.' Every rep felt like I took four of five in a row," Vannett said. "But just good to be back out here. Good to be able get the reps and just, you know, mentally be around it and just keep learning and learning the offense, getting myself up to speed."