The Saints still had a long list on their first injury report for heading into Week 3, but only one player missed practice -- marking a positive development.
But that player was an important one in center Erik McCoy, according to reports. He was inactive Week 2 due to a calf injury suffered early in the Week 1 victory over the Packers. The offensive line struggled mightily in Week 2 with Cesar Ruiz starting at center and Calvin Throckmorton, listed with a knee injury, starting at guard.
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Rookie Payton Turner, who had an impressive NFL debut, was also added to the injury report with an elbow issue. Turner logged six pressures, three tackles for loss and a sack in his first NFL action. Fellow defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon missed Week 2 and remained on the injury report, but was listed as a full participant despite the calf injury.
Here's the rundown of the players listed as of Wednesday, the first injury report of the week:
- C Erik McCoy (calf): DNP
- G Calvin Throckmorton (knee): LP
- DB CJ Gardner-Johnson (knee): LP
- CB Marson Lattimore (hand): LP
- DB PJ Williams (back): LP
- DE Payton Turner (elbow): LP
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (calf): FP
The Saints will be hoping to enter Week 3 healthier than they did in Week 2, when they had between 7 and 8 players missing practices each of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Linebackers Kwon Alexander and Chase Hansen, along with defensive end Marcus Davenport each landed on injured reserve ahead of the matchup with the Panthers. Defensive back PJ Williams played through his questionable tag, but star cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hand) and nickel corner CJ Gardner-Johnson (knee) did not.
The Saints plan to travel to New England from their temporary facility in Fort Worth, after which they'll return home for the first time since evacuating ahead of Hurricane Ida. The Patriots listed four players on their initial injury report, with only linebacker Matthew Judon (knee) missing practice fully. OL Trent Brown (calf) and Damien Harris (finger) were limited, while linebacker Kyle Van Noy practiced fully despite being listed with a throat injury.
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