The Saints haven't issued their typical slate of injury reports this week, but that hasn't stopped the injury news.
Fortunately for New Orleans, it's a positive update: 7 players have been designated to return from injured reserve, and are eligible to return to practice.
That means those players (listed below) can begin practicing and preparing to return to the field, though the team has up to 21 days to add them back to the active roster.
DESIGNATED TO RETURN
- K Wil Lutz
- LB Kwon Alexander
- DE Marcus Davenport
- WR Tre'Quan Smith
- TE Nick Vannett
- CB Ken Crawley
- LB Chase Hansen
It's unclear how many, if any, of those players will get back on the field for Week 7. Regardless, Jameis Winston was thrilled to see his teammates back in action as the teams gets back from its bye.
“It’s awesome," Winston said. "You just can see it in their eyes, that’s a sigh of relief.
The lone player remaining on injured reserve that could ultimately return is Tony Jones Jr., who still has one week remaining before he could potentially return from an ankle injury. There's also been no update on Michael Thomas, who is eligible to come off the PUP list. Regardless, there's a good chance some familiar faces return in Seattle.
"I think just as a confidence thing, for them to get back out on the field and doing their best to get back into play is huge,” Winston said.
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But there also several other injured players that didn't land on IR to watch for. That group includes C Erik McCoy (calf/week 1), Terron Armstead (shoulder/week 3), KR/WR Deonte Harris (hamstring/week 5), and QB Taysom Hill (concussion/week 5). Coming off a bye and playing on Monday night in Week 7, the team didn't issue a standard Wednesday injury report.
The first of the week came out on Thursday, issuing more positive news with McCoy and Armstead returning to practice (in limited capacity) for the first time since their injuries. Harris and Hill, meanwhile, were out of practice, meaning a week off wasn't enough to overcome their respective injuries -- at least not yet.
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Running back and special teams ace Dwayne Washington also missed practice due to a neck injury suffered in Week 5. DT Malcolm Roach missed with an illness, and WR Chris Hogan missed for personal reasons. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore remained on the injury report with his hand injury, but was a full participant. The players designated to return will not appear on the injury report until they return to the active roster.
On the Seattle Seahawks' side, each of OT Duane Brown, DE Carlos Dunlap and OL Gabe Jackson missed for rest, Alex Collins missed practice with a groin injury and OL Damien Lewis missed with a shoulder injury.