UPDATE: Linebacker Kwon Alexander, defensive end Marcus Davenport and wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith have joined kicker Wil Lutz in being designated to return from injured reserve ahead of Week 7. That means they can return to practice, but the team has up to 21 days to add them back to the active roster.
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The New Orleans Saints have reinforcements in the wings, it's just a question of how long the wait will be before we begin to see them.
The Saints have nine players out on injured reserve, all but one of whom will be eligible to return, if healthy enough to do so, for a Week 7 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks.
With the Saints on bye in Week 6 there were no official updates to be had on the health or return status of injured players, though Sean Payton spoke optimistically about getting injured players back on the field throughout last week.
For the first time this season, the group eligible to return will include Michael Thomas. The Saints WR began the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which requires six weeks out, but includes the bye. David Onyemata, on the other hand, is serving a six-game suspension (which doesn't count the bye) and can't return until Week 8.
One key player had positive news emerge in Wil Lutz, who had been designated to return from IR for this week, according to a report from Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football. While a positive sign, it doesn't necessarily mean he'll be back in Week 7 against the Seahawks. Once a player is designated to return they can begin practicing, but the team doesn't have to add that player to the roster for up to 3 weeks. Lutz had been recovering from offseason core muscle surgery, but likely needs time to get back into game shape. Being healthy enough to kick, and being healthy enough to kick in an NFL game are two different things.
The Saints' kicking game has been maddeningly inconsistent thus far in Lutz's place. The Saints initially signed Brett Maher, but he was released due to injury after the preseason opener. The team signed kicker Aldrick Rosas, who stuck around through the first four games but missed three of his four attempts. He was cut and the team signed veteran Cody Parkey, who missed a pair of PATs and was released with an injury designation. The latest on the carousel? Brian Johnson, signed last week off the Chicago Bears' practice squad. He appears to be the first in line for the job should Lutz not be ready to return to face the Seahawks.
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While we wait to find out more on the status of those IR players throughout the week (listed downpage), it'll also be important to monitor the statuses of both LT Terron Armstead (shoulder), center Erik McCoy (calf), WR/KR Deonte Harris (hamstring) and QB Taysom Hill (concussion).
The two offensive linemen have been out multiple weeks, but hadn't been sent to IR. Neither practiced in Week 5, but we won't know this week's Saints practice attendance until the initial Week 7 injury report comes out Wednesday afternoon.
Scroll below for a breakdown of all the Saints players out on injured reserve, PUP or suspension, details on when they can return and more.
INJURED RESERVE
TRE'QUAN SMITH, WR
- Went on IR: Before Week 1
- Eligible to return: Since Week 4
- Injury: hamstring
NOTES: Smith battled an injury throughout training camp. He returned to practice but never got on the field in the preseason. Still, he represents a potential weapon to help invigorate the Saints' passing attack when he's healthy.
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KEN CRAWLEY, CB
- Went on IR: Before Week 1
- Eligible to return: Since Week 4
- Injury: hamstring
NOTES: Since Crawley landed on IR, the cornerback position has developed into one of the deepest on the team. Crawley will likely still play a role when he gets back, but the Saints will have to decide how to split up snaps on the outside between him, rookie Paulson Adebo and veteran Bradley Roby.
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NICK VANNETT, TE
- Went on IR: Before Week 1
- Eligible to return: Since Week 4
- Injury: knee
NOTES: Vannett was expected to have a role as a blocking tight end before his injury. His absence could be a factor in Adam Trautman's limited role in the passing game through five weeks.
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WIL LUTZ, K
- Went on IR: Before Week 1
- Eligible to return: Since Week 4
- Injury: Core muscle surgery
NOTES: Lutz's injury is another one that dates well into training camp and his return will be dependent on how quickly he can recover from surgery to repair the injury. He was designated for return this week, which gives the team up to 3 weeks to add him to the active roster.
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- Went on IR: After Week 1
- Eligible to return: Since 5
- Injury: Shoulder
NOTES: Davenport, Alexander and Hansen all went onto IR after Week 1, meaning they have been eligible to return since Week 5, and it's a question of when they are healthy enough to return to action.
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KWON ALEXANDER, LB
- Went on IR: After Week 1
- Eligible to return: Since Week 5
- Injury: Elbow
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CHASE HANSEN, LB
- Went on IR: After Week 1
- Eligible to return: Since Week 5
- Injury: Groin
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TONY JONES JR., RB
- Went on IR: After Week 4
- Eligible to return: As of Week 8
NOTES: The Saints' backup running back is the lone player still not eligible to return after being placed on IR since the start of the season. Anyone placed on IR before the season is out for the year. Jones will have to wait another Week for a potential return designation from his ankle injury. The Saints signed Devine Ozigbo off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad for depth, but he didn't record a touch in the win over Washington.
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PUP LIST
MICHAEL THOMAS, WR
- Went on PUP list: Before Week 1
- Eligible to return: As of Week 7
- Injury: Ankle surgery
NOTES: The ankle injury that feels like it's lasted forever could finally turn into a triumphant return in the Saints' 6th game of the season, despite PUP rules requiring a player to be out at least six weeks. The Saints' bye in Week 6 counts toward that total, potentially shaving a game off the required absence should Thomas be healthy enough to return. The Saints face the Seahawks in Week 7. The WR initially suffered the injury late in a Week 1 victory over the Bucs in the 2020 season.
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SUSPENSION
DAVID ONYEMATA, DT
- Length of suspension: 6 games
- Eligible to return: As of Week 8
NOTE: Unlike Thomas' situation, the bye week does NOT count toward Onyemata's six-game suspension. That means he won't be eligible to return until Week 8 when the Saints host the Tampa Bay Bucs. But the Saints can be sure he'll be back in action then, since his health won't be a factor in when he can play.
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