The New Orleans Saints had an extra day this week to nurse their injuries, and that's a good thing -- there are a lot of them.
The Saints listed a whopping 15 players on their initial injury report, including six players who did not participate. That group included a few surprise names including kicker Blake Grupe, DE Payton Turner and G/C Shane Lemieux.
The Saints were also without linebacker Willie Gay (hand), TE Taysom Hill (ribs) and RG Cesar Ruiz (knee) , all of whom had known injuries. Hill's injury status will be one to watch, with head coach Dennis Allen confirming that he has "fractures" 'in his ribs.
One major positive comes in the form of Kendre Miller, who got in his first limited practice since rookie minicamp. His return starts the clock on the 21-day window to potentially add him back to the active roster. The Saints could certainly use him this week, but Allen wouldn't commit to that at this point, though he did note that Miller "had a good practice" and they'll see where things go from here. Star RB Alvin Kamara was limited again with the rib issue that he played through last week.
Here's how the Saints' injury report broke down on Thursday.
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- LB Willie Gay (hand): DNP
- TE Taysom Hill (rib): DNP
- G Cesar Ruiz (knee): DNP
- G/C Shane Lemieux (ankle): DNP
- DE Payton Turner (knee): DNP
- K Blake Grupe (right hip): DNP
- OT Taliese Fuaga (back): LP
- RB Alvin Kamara (ribs/hip): LP
- WR A.T. Perry (hamstring): LP
- TE Juwan Johnson (forearm): LP
- DT Bryan Bresee (ankle): LP
- RB Kendre Miller (hamstring): LP
- LB Demario Davis (hamstring): LP
- WR Chris Olave (hamstring): FP
- WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle): FP
Two players who finished the game against the Falcons but were limited in practice include Bryan Bresee (ankle) and Juwan Johnson (forearm). WR A.T. Perry (hamstring) and LB Demario Davis (hamstring) returned to practice, while Chris Olave (hamstring) and Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle) were full participants.
Another bit of good news came in the form of some players not listed, a group that includes LB Demario Davis -- who missed his first career game due to injury last week -- and safety Tyrann Mathieu, who will be returning to Kansas City for the first time since joining the Saints in free agency.
Here's the Chiefs' side of the injury report, which is much shorter but includes several key players. WR Rashee Rice has already been added to injured reserve after suffering a significant injury in Week 4.
- DE Mike Danna (calf): LP
- RB Kareem Hunt (shoulder): LP
- WR Mecole Hardman (knee): LP
- LB Nick Bolton (hamstring): FP
- DT Derrick Nnadi (triceps): FP
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness): LP
The Saints (2-2) face off with the Chiefs (4-0) on Monday Night Football. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
