The New Orleans Saints have lost six straight games, but they appear on track to get their starting QB back for a Week 9 showdown with the Panthers.
Saints starting QB Derek Carr was back at practice and throwing. He was listed as limited in practice, but told the media that he was feeling 100% and the expectation is that he will make his return this week. It was the first time he's made an appearance at practice since suffering an oblique injury late during a Week 5 loss to the Chiefs. Rookie QB Spencer Rattler started all three games in his stead, though the past two were finished by Jake Haener in relief.
The Saints did have six players absent from practice altogether. Here's how things broke down on the initial injury report.
DNP = did not participate; LP = limited participation; FP = full participation
- CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring): DNP
- S Tyrann Mathieu (illness): DNP
- WR Bub Means (ankle): DNP
- RB Kendre Miller (hamstring): DNP
- CB Rico Payton (back): DNP
- WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip): DNP
- QB Derek Carr (oblique): LP
- TE Juwan Johnson (shoulder): LP
- RB Alvin Kamara (hand/rib): LP
- CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring): LP
- LG Nick Saldiveri (shoulder): LP
- RB Jamaal Williams (groin): LP
- G/C Shane Lemieux (ankle): FP
- LB Nephi Sewell (knee): FP
The Saints were without multiple key players on defense, including safety Tyrann Mathieu (illness) and CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring). Lattimore left early due to the injury in each of the past two games. The team is already without starting CB Paulson Adebo, who suffered a broken femur during a Week 7 loss to the Broncos.
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Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) and Jamaal Williams (groin) were new additions to the injury report.
One interesting change in practice was WR Chris Olave practicing with a logo slip cover over his Guardian Cap, a potential indicator that he could wear it during the upcoming game. Players wear the caps during practices, but it's the first time we've seen a player wearing one of the fabric covers they'd have to wear if the chose to don one during the game. The NFL's jersey rules were changed to allow players to wear them in games this year, a practice that has been done sparingly across the league. Olave missed Week 7 while in the concussion protocol, the third time he's had to work through the protocol in as many seasons. Olave had to leave briefly after a hard hit during the loss to the Chargers but was ultimately cleared to return.
The Panthers have a long injury report of their own with eight players missing the initial day of practice, though three were absent for rest days.
Here's how the Panthers' injury report broke down this week:
- OLB Jadeveon Clowney (NIR-rest): DNP
- OT Ikem Okwonu (ankle): DNP
- TE Feleipe Franks (concussion): DNP
- LB Josey Jewell (NIR-rest): DNP
- OLB DJ Johnson (ankle): DNP
- DE A'Shawn Robinson (NIR-rest): DNP
- S Jammie Robinson (knee): DNP
- TE Tommy Tremble (back): DNP
- WR Adam Thielen (hamstring): LP
- RB Jonathan Brooks (knee): FP
- DT Jaden Crumedy (ankle): FP
- QB Andy Dalton (right thumb): FP
- S Jordan Fuller (hamstring): FP
- OT Yosh Nijman (knee): FP
- OLB DJ Wonnum (quad): FP
The Saints (2-6) travel to face the Panthers (1-7) in Week 9. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.