The New Orleans Saints will have backup questions to answer both along the offensive line and in the defensive secondary.
The team has ruled out three players, including safety Justin Reid (knee) and Taliese Fuaga (ankle), neither of whom participated in any of the week's practices. The Saints will have to go with either Jordan Howden or Terrell Burgess at safety next to rookie Jonas Sanker, and backup Asim Richards will draw his fourth start of the season at right tackle.
RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) has also been ruled out for the second straight week. That means another heavy workload for rookie Devin Neal, who had a career-high 14 carries against the Dolphins last week. Evan Neal drew the bulk of the RB2 reps. Audric Estime could also be an option.
Here's how the injury report broke down on Friday:
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- RT Taliese Fuaga (ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- RB Alvin Kamara (ankle/knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- WR Chris Olave (back): DNP | LP | LP - questionable
- S Justin Reid (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- S Jonas Sanker (head): n/a | DNP | FP
Olave is continuing to manage a back issue that he played through in Week 13. He's been listed as questionable but participated in the final two practices of the week and will be expected to play.
Related
The Bucs' side of the injury report included a pair of WRs that have been ruled out. Here's how Tampa's injury situation broke down:
- OT Tristan Wirfs (oblique): DNP | DNP | LP - questionable
- WR Mike Evans (collarbone): LP | LP | LP - out
- WR Chris Godwin (fibula): LP | FP | LP
- RB Bucky Irving (shoulder): LP | FP | FP
- QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder): LP | FP | FP
- WR Jalen McMillan (neck): LP | LP | LP - out
- CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- OLB Haason Reddick (ankle): FP | FP | FP
- S Rashad Wisdom (quad): FP | FP | FP - out
- LB Lavonte David (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | LP
The Saints (2-10) travel this week to face the NFC South-leading Bucs (7-5) at Raymond James Stadium. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.