The New Orleans Saints will have a host of absences to account for when they visit the Titans in Week 17.
The team has opted to move TE Foster Moreau to injured reserve due to an ankle injury suffered in a win over the Jets, with rookie Moliki Matavao signed from the practice squad to fill the roster spot. The Saints have also ruled out TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden due to a knee injury suffered during practice last week.
The Saints ruled out four additional players, including RB Alvin Kamara for a fifth consecutive game.
Here's how the final injury report of the week broke down:
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- DT Bryan Bresee (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- DT Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest): DNP | FP | FP
- RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- G Cesar Ruiz (ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee): LP | LP | FP
- WR Mason Tipton (groin): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- WR Chris Olave (back): FP | FP | LP - questionable
- OT Asim Richards (ankle): FP | FP | FP
- QB Tyler Shough (hip): FP | FP | FP
- K Charlie Smyth (illness): n/a | n/a | DNP - questionable
Both teams have had an adjusted practice week wrapped around Christmas. The Saints held a walkthrough on Tuesday, which served as their standard Wednesday practice. Thursday's injury report was estimated, with the team not holding a practice on the holiday.
The team listed three players as questionable, including kicker Charlie Smyth who was a late addition to the injury report with an illness. Moore didn't sound particularly concerned about his availability to kick on Sunday, but the Saints would be in a precarious situation if he wasn't able to play. The team cut Cade York from the practice squad ahead of Week 16 and would likely end up turning to safety Justin Reid in an emergency situation. Reid has notably kicked in the NFL before in emergency situations, twice filling in on kickoffs during his run with the Chiefs and going 1-for-2 on extra point attempts.
The Saints will also be watching the status of Chris Olave who was limited on Friday with a back issue. Olave battled a similar issue earlier in the season, and he told WWL this week that he's dealt with similar back issues dating back to high school. Mason Tipton has also been listed as limited due to a groin issue.
RG Cesar Ruiz (ankle) will miss a second consecutive game. Asim Richards (ankle) made his return to practice from his own ankle injury, but Will Sherman is likely to remain as the starter at RG. Ruiz's absence means the Saints will again be without all three interior linemen they started the season with. Center Erik McCoy is on IR (elbow) while Trevor Penning was traded to the Chargers at the deadline.
Related
The Titans have ruled out three players for Sunday, two of whom have had their IR return to practice windows opened but will not be available this week. Here's Tennessee's final injury report broke down.
- CB Marcus Harris (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (achilles): LP | LP | LP
- TE Gunnar Helm (toe): LP | LP | LP
- DE Oluwafemi Aladejo (fibula): LP | LP | LP - out
- G Kevin Zeitler (groin): LP | LP | LP
- RB Julius Chestnut (back): FP | FP | FP
- OLB Ali Gaye (knee): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- LB Cedric Gray (concussion): FP | FP | FP
- WR Bryce Oliver (knee): FP | FP | FP - out
- OLB Jaylen Harrell (NIR-personal): n/a | n/a | DNP
- CB Micah Robinson (illness): n/a | n/a | DNP - questionable
The Saints (5-10) face the Titans (3-12) at noon, Sunday at Nissan Stadium. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.