The New Orleans Saints are heading into another week with some serious questions at the offensive skill positions.
The only change to Friday's injury report was in the form of an absence for Jamaal Williams (groin), who was present for the first two days of work but re-aggravated the groin injury that kept him out of Week 9. Williams is listed as questionable, but interim head coach Darren Rizzi said it is unlikely that he is able to play.
If Williams can't go, the Saints would again be down to just two running backs on the active roster in Alvin Kamara and Jordan Mims. The Saints also have fullback Adam Prentice and Taysom Hill to contribute in the run game, and could potentially call up UDFA Jacob Kibodi or newcomer Xazavian Valladay from the practice squad.
Here's how the full injury report broke down on Friday.
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- WR Cedrick Wilson (shoulder): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- WR Chris Olave (concussion): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- G/C Lucas Patrick (calf): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- S J.T. Gray (back): LP | LP LP - questionable
- CB Rico Payton (back): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- RB Jamaal Williams (groin): LP | LP | DNP - questionable
- DT John Ridgeway (oblique): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- S Will Harris (hamstring): LP | FP | FP - questionable
- QB Derek Carr (illness): FP | FP | FP
- RB Alvin Kamara (hand): FP | FP | FP
- G Shane Lemieux (knee): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- LB Nephi Sewell (knee): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- C Erik McCoy (groin): n/a | LP | LP - doubtful
The Saints have ruled out four players, including a pair of WRs in Chris Olave (concussion) and Cedrick Wilson (shoulder) with both injuries suffered during the Week 9 loss to the Panthers. The Saints have still not determined whether Olave will land on injured reserve after his second concussion in a month, but all option remain on the table. Rizzi said Olave was meeting with specialists this week to determine his options.
The Saints also have a pair of receivers on IR in Bub Means (ankle) and Rashid Shaheed (knee), meaning the only three available WRs on the active roster are UDFAs Mason Tipton and Jermaine Jackson, as well as veteran newcomer Marquez Valdez-Scantling. The Saints could also look to Kevin Austen, Dante Pettis and/or Equanimous St. Brown, the three of whom are currently on the practice squad.
Center Erik McCoy returned to practice this week for the first time since groin surgery to correct an injury suffered in Week 3. He is listed as doubtful, a positive sign that he is nearing a return. The Saints will evaluate where he is on Saturday ahead of the game, but it's likely that he misses a 7th consecutive game.
On Atlanta's side of of the injury report only one player was ruled out, while a pair of offensive starters are questionable.
Here's how things broke down for the Falcons:
- ILB JD Bertrand (concussion): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- OLB Matthew Judon (illness): DNP | FP | FP
- DL Grady Jarrett (achilles): LP | LP | FP
- G Chris Lindstrom (knee): LP | LP | FP
- WR Drake London (hip): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- TE Kyle Pitts (hamstring): LP | LP | FP
- DL James Smith-Williams (tibia): LP | LP | DNP
- ILB Troy Andersen (knee): FP | FP | FP
- C Drew Dalman (ankle): FP | FP | FP - questionable
The Saints (2-7) host the Falcons (6-3) at the Caesars Superdome in Week 10 for a noon kickoff. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
