The New Orleans Saints will have serious depth issues at multiple key positions when they face the Atlanta Falcons to close out their 2025 season.
The Saints ruled out four players and moved four others to injured reserve. The group of players listed as out includes Chris Olave, who was hospitalized earlier in the week due to a medical issue. Head coach Kellen Moore said everything was progressing well, but it'll be an issue Olave has to deal with as the team heads into its offseason program.
"There’s obviously a process that he’s going to have to go through and Chris has had really good spirits through this whole thing," Moore said. "He’s been optimistic and so obviously you’ve just got to navigate this for a little bit.”
Without Olave and also Mason Tipton (groin), the Saints were down to Kevin Austin Jr. and Dante Pettis as the lone receivers remaining on the active roster. The Saints have also opted to sign practice squad receivers Samori Toure and Ronnie Bell ahead of the game. DE Fadil Diggs was also added to the active roster.
“I’m excited for these young guys," Moore said. "Everyone always asks for an opportunity, and for no matter what time of the year in an NFL calendar, if you’re given an opportunity you’re fired up for it and certainly we have some younger receivers that weren’t necessarily with us right away but they’re here now and they’re ready to go and I’m really excited for those guys to take advantage of it.”
Here's how the Saints' half of the injury report broke down on Friday:
FP = full participation; LP = limited participation; DNP = did not participate
- DT Bryan Bresee (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- WR Chris Olave (illness): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- LG Dillon Radunz (knee): DNP | LP | FP - questionable
- QB Spencer Rattler (right finger): DNP | DNP | DNP - questionable
- DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- LB Demario Davis (calf): LP LP | LP - questionable
- RG Cesar Ruiz (ankle): LP | FP | FP
- QB Tyler Shough (hip): FP | FP | FP
- DT Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest): n/a | DNP | FP
The overall injury report shrunk on Friday, with CB Michael Davis (shoulder), WR Mason Tipton (groin), TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee) and TE Jack Stoll (knee) each reverted to injured reserve, clearing space for multiple players to be either signed or elevated from the practice squad.
The Saints will continue to be without RB Alvin Kamara, whose season will end with the final six games missed due to a knee injury suffered in the first matchup with the Falcons.
Saints linebacker Demario Davis was limited all three days with a calf issue.
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Interior defensive line also looks to be thin, with DT Bryan Bresee missing a second consecutive game due to a knee injury and DT Nathan Shepherd ruled out due to knee and ankle injuries he's been battling over the second half of the season. The Saints have also listed backup QB Spencer Rattler as questionable with a hand injury. If he can't go, expect Jake Haener to be elevated or signed from the practice squad.
The good news comes along the offensive line, with Dillon Radunz (knee) upgraded to a full participant on Friday, though he's still listed as questionable. Cesar Ruiz (ankle) got in a second consecutive full practice and does not have a gameday designation, indicating that he's expected to return after a two-game absence. Will Sherman filled over the past two weeks, and would be the logical choice to fill in again at the opposite guard spot if Radunz can't go.
The Falcons placed CB Mike Hughes on IR and ruled two players out, with another five listed as questionable. That group of questionable players includes three of their top pass-catchers in Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Darnell Mooney, all battling knee injuries.
Here's how Atlanta's final injury report broke down this week:
- DL Brandon Dorlus (hamstring): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- CB Clark Phillips III (triceps/illness): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- S DeMarrco Hellams (hamstring): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- WR Drake London (knee): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- TE Kyle Pitts Sr. (knee): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- DL Sam Roberts (knee/ankle): LP | LP | FP - questionable
- WR Darnell Mooney (knee): n/a | LP | LP - questionable
- S Jessie Bates (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | LP
- LB Kaden Elliss (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | LP
- Edge Leonard Floyd (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | DNP
- OT Jake Matthews (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | DNP
- TE Charlie Woerner (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | DNP
- DL David Onyemata (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | DNP
The Saints (6-10) visit the Falcons (7-9) at noon, Sunday to close out their season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.