It's official: The New Orleans Saints will be getting several key players back in Week 8. The only question left is whether they can make it count.
WR Chris Olave has cleared concussion protocol and will play. The Saints will also be getting LB Pete Werner (hamstring), RG Cesar Ruiz (knee) and TE Taysom Hill (rib) back when they face the Chargers, all of whom have missed multiple games with their respective injuries.
Here's how the Saints' initial injury report broke down on Wednesday:
- LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- QB Derek Carr (oblique): DNP | DNP | DNP - doubtful
- G Nick Saldiveri (shoulder): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- RG Cesar Ruiz (knee): LP | FP | FP
- C/G Lucas Patrick (chest): LP | LP | FP
- LB Pete Werner (hamstring): LP | LP | FP
- C Connor McGovern (back): LP | FP | FP
- WR Chris Olave (concussion): LP | FP | FP
- DT Khalen Saunders (back): LP | LP | FP
- TE Taysom Hill (rib): LP | FP | FP
- RB Alvin Kamara (hand/rib): LP | LP | LP
- WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip): LP | DNP | DNP - out
- TE Juwan Johnson (shoulder): LP | LP | LP
- CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring): FP | FP | FP
- QB Spencer Rattler (hip): FP | FP | FP
The Saints are hoping that Werner's return can help add some oomph to a defense that's been shredded by opposing run games in back-to-back weeks.
"[It would mean] a lot, you know, Pete and Demario are Batman and Robin, so you've got your sidekick with you," defensive coordinator Joe Woods said, "but it's just a confidence thing and to have a guy with that caliber of play, that much experience is definitely going to help us."
It wasn't all good news, though, with a pair of players ruled out in the form of LG Nick Saldiveri (shoulder) and WR Cedrick Wilson (hip). Lucas Patrick has no gameday designation, so it's likely he slots back in at left guard, where he started the season. How the Saints handle Wilson's absence will be a bigger question.
The Saints added Marquez Valdes-Scantling this week, but he's had limited time to learn the offense and, if he's active at all, it's unlikely that he takes on a full workload. The other options will be rookies Mason Tipton, Bub Means and Jermaine Jackson on the active roster. The Saints could also opt to elevate veterans Dante Pettis or Equanimeous St. Brown from the practice squad.
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For the second consecutive week Derek Carr is listed as doubtful, but he has not practiced for two weeks due to an oblique injury and at best he could be an option to serve as the emergency third quarterback. Spencer Rattler will get his third start in relief.
L.A. will have several questions to answer heading into gameday, though they've yet to rule anybody out. Here's how the Chargers' side of the injury report broke down:
- WR Derius Davis (hamstring): DNP | DNP | DNP - doubtful
- TE Will Dissly (shoulder): DNP | DNP | LP - questionable
- TE Hayden Hurst (groin): DNP | LP | | LP - questionable
- WR Ladd McConkey (hip): DNP | DNP | LP - questionable
- LB Denzel Perryman (toe): DNP | DNP | LP - questionable
- WR Quenton Johnston (ankle): DNP | DNP | LP - doubtful
- OLB Joey Bosa (hip): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- WR DJ Chark (groin): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring): LP | LP | FP
- OLB Khalil Mack (rest): LP | FP | FP
- Ja'Sir Taylor (fibula): LP | LP | FP
The Saints (2-5) visit the Chargers (3-3) Sunday afternoon at SoFi Stadium. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.