The Saints' second injury report of the week projected confidence the Saints will get at least one of their injured starters back for this week.
Nickel corner CJ Gardner-Johnson was upgraded to a full participant at Thursday's practice after being limited with a knee injury earlier in the week. He went into Week 2 questionable with the same injury but was ruled out before kickoff.
Star cornerback Marshon Lattimore remained limited with a hand injury that was suffered against the Packers and kept him out against the Panthers. Center Erik McCoy didn't participate in practice again and he's in danger of missing a second straight start. Rookie Pete Werner was also listed as a full participant after being limited Wednesday.
Here's how the Saints' injury report broke down today:
(Wednesday/Thursday)
- C Erik McCoy (calf): DNP/DNP
- G Calvin Throckmorton (knee): LP/LP
- DB CJ Gardner-Johnson (knee): LP/FP
- CB Marson Lattimore (hand): LP/LP
- DB PJ Williams (back): LP/FP
- DE Payton Turner (elbow): LP/LP
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (calf): FP/FP
- LB Pete Werner (hamstring): LP/FP
The Saints appear on track to get at least one other player back who was absent against the Panthers in defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon. His presence could gain added importance if Payton Turner's elbow injury forces the rookie to miss time. He's been limited the past two days in practice.
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New Orleans also got four of its coaches back after more than a week of absences due to COVID-19 protocols, according to a report from NOLA.com. Those assistants include:
- Joel Thomas, RBs coach
- Curtis Johnson, WRs coach
- Jim Chaney, offensive analyst
- Phil Galliano, assistant special teams coach
Four coaches have still not been spotted in Ryan Nielsen (defensive line/assistant head coach), Dan Roushar (tight ends), Brian Young (pass-rush specialist) and Declan Doyle (offensive assistant). Offensive line coach Brendan Nugent missed practices last week but returned for gameday.
The Saints' Week 3 opponent New England Patriots added safety Adrian Phillips as a non-injury-related absence. Otherwise the lone change was linebacker Matt Judon returning to practice in a limited capacity. Running back Damien Harris and OT Trent Brown were also listed as limited.
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