The New Orleans Saints will be without a pair of linebackers, and they'll have three players coming down to game time of Week 1 in terms of their availability.
There were no changes from Thursday, which is a good sign for the availability of linebacker Pete Werner and cornerback Marshon Lattimore, both of whom have been practicing in full to close out the week.
Here's the initial injury report for the week (FP = full participation; LP = limited participation; DNP = did not participate)
- LB Pete Werner (shoulder): FP | FP | FP
- LB Willie Gay Jr. (back): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- CB Marshon Lattimore (hip): LP | FP | FP
- G Nick Saldiveri (calf): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- WR A.T. Perry (hand): n/a | DNP | DNP - questionable
- LB Jaylan Ford (hamstring): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- LB D'Marco Jackson (calf): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- DT Khalen Saunders (calf): DNP | DNP | DNP -out
- TE Dallin Holker (ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
Gay appears likely to play through the back issue that cropped up this week, but Perry and Saldiveri are more difficult to gauge. Perry's hand injury cropped up during the week, though head coach Dennis Allen declined to detail the nature of the injury or when exactly it occurred. Saldiveri missed the final month of training camp with the same calf issue and has yet to practice in full. If the young guard can't go, the team could opt to elevate veteran Shane Lemieux from the practice squad.
The Panthers' side of the equation reveals some potential tight end issues, with both Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas ruled out. That means the Saints will see a heavy dose of rookie Ja'Tayvion Sanders, Carolina's 4th round pick in this year's draft.
- OT Yosuah Nijman (tibia): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- RB Miles Sanders (finger): LP | FP | FP
- Ian Thomas (calf): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- TE Tommy Tremble (back/hamstring): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- CB Troy Hill (heel): n/a | LP | FP
The Saints host the Panthers in the season opener for both teams on Sunday at noon at the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL AM-870; FM-105.3 and on the free Audacy app.
