The Saints are headed out to a frigid Cleveland with the hopes of keeping their slim postseason hopes alive, and things won't be getting any easier.
Four players have been ruled out for the Christmas Eve matchup, including a pair of high-impact wide receivers.
Here's how the final injury report shook out for the Saints ahead of the rare Saturday kickoff.
- OUT: WR Chris Olave (hamstring); WR Jarvis Landry (ankle); RB Dwayne Washington (illness); LB Pete Werner (hamstring)
- QUESTIONABLE: CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen); S Marcus Maye (shoulder); TE Adam Trautman (ankle); S PJ Williams (knee); LG Andrus Peat (illness)
On the Browns' side of things, DE Jadeveon Clowney (concussion) is the lone player listed as out for the matchup. Safety John Johnson III is listed as questionable.
It's tough news for the Saints, particularly as it pertains to Werner, who had just returned from a long absence due to an ankle injury before his most recent issue. It's also the first injury issue for Olave since he missed time with a concussion earlier in the season.
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Landry, on the other hand, continues to battle a persistent ankle injury that has dogged him since Week 3. He's likely to land on injured reserve, which would effectively end his season, according to a report from NewOrleans.football.
The Saints are already without Michael Thomas, who went on injured reserve earlier this season. That will mean heavier involvement for players such as Tre'Quan Smith, Rashid Shaheed and Marquez Callaway. Keith Kirkwood and Kirk Merritt will also be candidates to be called up from the practice squad, though the weather conditions expected would indicate a run-heavy approach is likely, regardless.
Dennis Allen also gave insight into Dwayne Washington's absence, with the RB dealing with cluster migraines. He's missed the past two weeks with that issue, but is expected back before the end of the season. Peat was also a late addition to the injury report after practicing in full the first two days. His status will be one to monitor heading into the game, considering the team will already be without RG Cesar Ruiz, who landed on injured reserve earlier this week due to a lisfranc injury suffered late in the win over the Falcons.
The Saints and Browns kick off at noon on Saturday (Christmas eve), with temperatures potentially reaching the single digits and winds gusting up to as strong as 50 mph.
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