The New Orleans Saints ruled out five players for their Week 5 showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs, and they'll officially have a different starting center for the third straight week.
Guard/center Shane Lemieux was ruled out with an ankle injury, while guard/center Lucas Patrick missed his second consecutive day of practice and is questionable. If Patrick can't play it's possible the Saints turn to veteran Connor McGovern, who was signed earlier this week off of the Jets practice squad. They could also turn to rookie Kyle Hergel, currently on the Saints practice squad.
The Saints also ruled out RG Cesar Ruiz (knee), LB Willie Gay (hand), DE Payton Turner and TE Taysom Hill (ribs), none of whom practiced this week. For Ruiz it'll be his second consecutive game missed.
Here's how the Saints' injury report broke down on Thursday.
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- LB Willie Gay (hand): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- TE Taysom Hill (rib): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- G Cesar Ruiz (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- G/C Shane Lemieux (ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- DE Payton Turner (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- K Blake Grupe (right hip): DNP | FP | FP
- OT Taliese Fuaga (back/knee): LP | LP | LP
- RB Alvin Kamara (ribs/hip): LP | LP | FP
- TE Juwan Johnson (forearm): LP | FP | FP
- DT Bryan Bresee (ankle): LP | LP | FP
- RB Kendre Miller (hamstring): LP | FP | FP
- LB Demario Davis (hamstring): LP | LP | FP
- WR Chris Olave (hamstring): FP | FP | FP
- WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (ankle): FP | FP | FP
- LG Lucas Patrick (groin): n/a | DNP | DNP - questionable
- LB Pete Werner (hamstring): n/a | n/a | DNP - questionable
As has been a trend the past few weeks, the Saints saw another starter land on the injury report with a hamstring injury late in the week. Ahead of Week 4 it was Chris Olave, who played in the game. This time it's LB Pete Werner, who has been listed as questionable.
On the Chiefs' side of the equation no players have been ruled out. Here's how their final injury report shaped up:
- DE Mike Danna (calf): LP | LP | FP
- RB Kareem Hunt (shoulder): LP | LP | LP
- WR Mecole Hardman (knee): LP | DNP | FP - questionable
- LB Nick Bolton (hamstring): FP | FP | FP
- DT Derrick Nnadi (triceps): FP | FP | FP
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness): LP | LP | LP - doubtful
The Saints (2-2) face off with the Chiefs (4-0) on Monday Night Football. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
