The New Orleans Saints will have to look a different direction in the return game with week, with rookie Barion Brown (hamstring) among two players ruled out for the Week 3 showdown with the Raiders.
Brown has been the primary return specialist on both punts and kickoffs through the first two weeks. His impact on the Week 2 win over the Ravens was easy to identify with a 53-yard kickoff return in the final minute of the first half that led to a last-second field goal. Head coach Kellen Moore indicated that the task of replacing that production wouldn't be handled by just one person.
“We’ll have a committee opportunity there," Moore said. "We have a number of guys that can play back there and we’ll just let it take its course.”
A likely candidate to get work on punt return will be CB Jayden Price, who returned kicks and punts in college and saw opportunities in those roles during the preseason.
The lone other player ruled out for the Saints was DT Christen Miller (toe), who missed all three practices this week. He initially suffered the injury during the Friday practice ahead of Week 2.
Here's how the final injury report broke down:
DNP = did not participate; LP = limited participation; FP = full participation
- WR Barion Brown (hamstring): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- CB Martin Emerson Jr. (shoulder): DNP | DNP | LP - questionable
- DT Christen Miller (toe): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- RB Travis Etienne (hamstring): LP | LP | FP
- S Jonas Sanker (knee): LP | FP | FP
- DT Nathan Shepherd (hip): LP | FP | FP
- DE Chase Young (calf): LP | FP | FP
- LB Isaiah Stalbird (shoulder): FP | FP | FP
- DT Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest): FP | DNP | FP
- RB Kendre Miller (illness): FP | DNP | FP
There's good news for the Saints RB stable, with Travis Etienne (hamstring) upgraded to a full participant after being limited on Wednesday and Thursday. RB Kendre MIller also returned to practice after missing Thursday with an illness.
The Raiders have listed one player out and three questionable, including star TE Brock Bowers, who didn't participate in Friday's practice. Head coach Klint Kubiak said that was the plan and he'll work out prior to the game on Sunday to assess whether he's ready to make his season debut as he works back from knee surgery.
Here's how the rest of the Raiders' injury report stacks up:
- QB Aidan O'Connell (personal): DNP | DNP | DNP - questionable
- S Treydan Stukes (concussion): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- TE Brock Bowers (knee): LP | LP | DNP - questionable
- LB Nakobe Dean (shoulder): LP | FP | FP
- DT Folorunso Fatukasi (shoulder): LP | FP | FP
- CB Darien Porter (foot): LP | FP | FP
- WR Dareke Young (hamstring): LP | FP | FP
- LB Segun Olibi (knee): FP | FP | FP
- DT JJ Pegues (back): FP | FP | FP
- DE Kwity Paye (illness): n/a | DNP | LP - questionable
The Saints (1-1) are set to host the Raiders (2-0) for a 3:25 p.m. kickoff inside the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
