The Saints got back to work this week in Metairie for the first set of organized team activities, and attendance was mixed.
But one player made sure to get on the field ahead of most expectations, and that was quarterback Jameis Winston. Wearing a knee brace, the xx-year-old went through a full array of drills despite a bit of a limp as the day wore on.
"He threw the ball with a lot of accuracy," said Bobby Hebert after viewing practice on Thursday. "He looks like he's ... on schedule."
Mike Detillier: "I thought he was real accurate. Man, he can spin that rock."
Watch the full OTA reactions video with Bobby Hebert, Mike Detillier and Kristian Garic in the player atop the page, or by clicking here.
It was the surest sign of what has been repeated throughout the offseason as it pertains to the Saints' returning quarterback: He is very much on track with his rehab. But it's not exactly a major surprise to his head coach.
"With the way that he works and how hard he works, it doesn't surprise me," Dennis Allen said. "I think we've got to continue to be smart with that."
SPOTTY ATTENDANCE
The list of players that weren't out on the field for the first set of OTAs was a long one. Some were absent as they rehab from existing injuries, others were simply not there.
And while teams would obviously love if they had full attendance at such workouts, Allen said he's had contact with all the players who did not attend and none of the absences are problematic.
Players at facility for rehab but not working in drills:
- S, Marcus Maye
- DE, Payton Turner
- DE, Marcus Davenport,
- WR, Michael Thomas
Other absences
- LB, Demario Davis
- TE, Taysom Hill
- WR/KR, Deonte Harty
- WR, Jarvis Landry
- RB, Mark Ingram
- RB, Alvin Kamara
- DB, CJ Gardner-Johnson
- DB, PJ Williams
- CB, Marshon Lattimore
- CB, Bradley Roby
- TE, Adam Trautman
"I'm well aware of who is and isn't here," Allen said. "We've had that communication. ... Everybody has their reason why and I'm comfortable with where we're at."
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PAYTON TURNER QUESTIONS
The Saints only saw 5 games of action from 2021 first-round pick Payton Turner due to multiple injuries, and the absences continued this week at OTAs.
The DE was in the building getting treatment, but it's the continuation of a concerning trend, says WWL analyst Mike Detillier.
"I get it. He's coming off the injury," Detillier said. "But you're counting on him and he's a first-round pick."
Turner will have two more opportunities to get on the field for OTAs prior to the mandatory minicamp and full training camp in June.
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