For the third consecutive game it was Andy Dalton under center for the New Orleans Saints, but this time there was a difference: Jameis Winston was in uniform and active for gameday.
Winston was listed as questionable going into the game, and it's unclear whether he'd have actually been the backup should Dalton have left the game. And despite what having No. 2 in uniform might have hinted at, head coach Dennis Allen still wouldn't show his cards as it related to the plans for a quick turnaround and matchup with the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football.
"[Jameis being active] was probably more of a product of, you know, trying to find 48 available bodies to play in the game," Allen said.
What the coach was alluding to was likely the scramble to get wide receivers active for the Week 6 matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals, which ended in a 30-26 Saints loss. Deonte Harty was sent to injured reserve with a foot injury, Chris Olave missed the game with a concussion, Michael Thomas missed his third straight game with a foot injury, and Jarvis Landry missed his second with an ankle issue.
The Saints signed Rashid Shaheed and Keith Kirkwood to the active roster and elevated Kevin White from the practice squad. In a corresponding move, backup QB Jake Luton was waived, meaning Winston was the only other quarterback on the roster. Taysom Hill, of course, can play quarterback in a pinch, and he did throw 4 passes in the game.
Dalton has had impressive moments in relief, but he had his struggles in this one despite leading six scoring drives. The first touchdown came off a Bengals fumble early in the game, and the second Saints touchdown came on a 44-yard Shaheed run on his first career offensive touch. The Saints drove into the red zone four more times and came away with field goals.
Related
"I'm gonna let DA handle that whole situation," Dalton said in regard to whether he expected to remain the starting quarterback. "So, we'll see how it goes."
The debate can rage over whether Dalton or Winston will remain the starter, but it will likely continue to be a question of health. Allen said that Winston is still not "100% healthy," though that could mean a number of things, as few players will ever be able to claim that status throughout an NFL season. Winston has been dealing with back and ankle issues. He played through injuries in Weeks 2 and 3, but has missed the past three games. He was on the field warming up prior to the game and showed no ill effects from the injuries.
At this point the Saints are 2-4, and both quarterbacks have started for one win and two losses. Dalton has completed 53 of 84 passes for 585 yards, 3 TDs, 1 interception and has also lost a fumble. Winston went 75 of 115 for 858 yards, 4 TDs and 5 interceptions.
Related
An argument could be made in either direction, but one way or another, it's an answer team Saints must hope can get the season back on track. Now at 2-4, the Saints are fortunate to find themselves in the NFC South, where no team has a record better than 3-3. Stringing a couple wins together would keep New Orleans right in the thick of things, and that would likely need to start with a quick turnaround against the Arizona Cardinals, who were held to 9 points in a loss to the same Seahawks team the Saints ran wild against in Week 5.
"Let's get into the study on [the Cardinals], and we'll see," Allen said. "We'll see where [Jameis is] at and we'll go from there."
━━
Check out Inside Black & Gold wherever you get your podcasts.
LINKS: Apple | Spotify | Audacy ... remember to rate and subscribe!