Mark down Adam Trautman as the latest Saints starter on an unfortunate list: Those expected to miss multiple weeks with injury.
The tight end was hurt making a spectacular grab in the fourth quarter of a 40-29 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11, and the prognosis is a disappointing one, though it could be worse. Trautman suffered a sprained MCL, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, and is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks.
The blow is an unfortunate one, and comes after Trautman's most productive game of his career, with 5 catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. He'd been coming on of late after an invisible start, with 14 catches for 130 yards in his past three games. He had posted just 12 catches over his first six games.
Trautman also suffered a knee injury in the preseason, which had him on the shelf heading into the start of the year, but didn't cause any missed games. The positive news for the Saints is that as he recovers, veteran Nick Vannett appears ready to go, after starting the season on injured reserve. Vannett saw his first action of the season against the Eagles, catching one pass for 20 yards.
Trautman's absence could mean more opportunities for Juwan Johnson, who hasn't made much of an impact outside of his three touchdown catches. All three came deep in the red zone and with Winston at quarterback. It could also present an opportunity for big-bodied WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey, who saw his first action of the season in Philadelphia and caught a touchdown pass late in the game after the Saints' hopes at a rally had already been snuffed out.
It's just the latest bad injury luck for the Saints, already without quarterback Jameis Winston (knee), wide receiver Michael Thomas (ankle), kicker Wil Lutz (core muscle surgery), and likely guard Andrus Peat (pectoral) for the season. The team also played in Week 11 without running back Alvin Kamara, left tackle Terron Armstead and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk. Armstead returned to practice on Monday, with just three days to prepare for a matchup with the Bills on Thanksgiving.
Related
