Speaking this week, Saints GM Mickey Loomis pointed out that a positive COVID test means days of waiting for the other shoe to drop across the roster.
That's exactly what happened Wednesday afternoon with running back Mark Ingram joining defensive end Cam Jordan on the COVID list after a positive test, according to a report from NOLA.com.
Jordan is asymptomatic and could potentially return in time to play in Week 14 if he logs two negative tests and is away from the team for five days. Ingram's timeline appears less positive, based on the timing of his positive test. If his 5-day quarantine began Wednesday, the earliest he could return would be Monday, making him almost certain to miss the matchup with the Jets.
Loomis said the Saints were still going through contact tracing as of Monday evening, and was hopeful the team being off over the weekend after a Thursday game would help limit the virus spread. It's unclear if Ingram's case is related to Jordan's but the result is the same. The team now must brace for more potential positive results, an added blow to a roster with significant injuries and absences at virtually every position. Vaccinated players who are deemed to be close contacts with Ingram or Jordan will have to enter a daily testing protocols.
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If Ingram and Jordan are unable to play, it'll mark the second game this season marred by COVID absences, but the first among players. New Orleans was forced to be without multiple assistant coaches during a Week 2 loss to the Carolina Panthers after a series of positive tests.
The slightly positive news for the Saints is running back Alvin Kamara appears to be on track to return after missing four games with a knee injury. The Saints' initial injury report for Week 14 comes out Wednesday afternoon. If he is unable to play, the Saints would enter yet another matchup desperately thin at the skill positions as they attempt to end their first skid of 5 or more games since the 2005 season.
Check back for updates.
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