The New Orleans Saints have a well-timed bye week to lick their wounds after a loss to the Vikings with multiple injuries to star players, but it will be one filled with rehab.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen updated the status of WR Michael Thomas, CB Marshon Lattimore and QB Derek Carr, all of whom left the game and did not return.
Let's start with the good news: Derek Carr is in the concussion protocol, but his right shoulder is fine. He'll work his way back from the head injury per the NFL's policy, but otherwise he is expected to start when the Saints return to face the Falcons in Week 12.
Jameis Winston finished the game in relief and led a pair of 8-point drives to bring the Saints within one score, but four chances to potentially drive for a tying score ended with a three-and-out, two interceptions and a failed Hail Mary. Allen made it clear after the game that there was no QB qustion and Carr will be back starting whenever he is healthy enough to do so.
As for the others, Dennis Allen termed the injuries as "fairly significant." Thomas took a helmet to his knee on the second play of the game and left, though the nature of his injury wasn't specified. He stayed on the sidelines throughout the game but never reentered. Lattimore left with an ankle injury in the 4th quarter. That injury has been reported as a high ankle sprain, per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, and he'll be week to week.
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“They’ll both be rehabbing throughout the week," Allen said, while declining to put any specific timetable on their returns.
Rookie WR A.T. Perry got extended run in Thomas' absence, catching the first two passes of his career, including a touchdown on a jump ball in the 4th quarter that brought the Saints back within one score. If Lattimore misses time, it'll be Isaac Yiadom taking on a bigger role, as he did earlier in the season to great effect when Paulson Adebo missed time.
Despite the loss and falling back to 5-5, the Saints still retain the NFC South lead by themselves, though the Bucs could potentially wrest that title away if they defeat the 49ers in Week 11.