The season is officially over for another Saints rookie, with Devin Neal headed to injured reserve due to a hamstring injury.
The team announced the move Thursday afternoon. Neal suffered a hamstring injury during the win over the Panthers in Week 15, leaving the game after a 3-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
Neal, a 6th round pick out of Kansas, had taken over the lead back duties due to attrition at the running back position. Kendre Miller suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 7, while Alvin Kamara has been absent due to a knee injury since he went down awkwardly in Week 12. The rookie's season ends with 47 carries for 207 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Here's the full injury report for the Saints on Thursday:
LP = limited participant; FP = full participant; DNP = did not participate
- RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle): DNP | DNP
- OT Asim Richards (ankle): DNP | DNP
- RG Cesar Ruiz (ankle): DNP | DNP
- WR Devaughn Vele (shoulder): DNP
- S Justin Reid (knee): LP | FP
- DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee): LP | LP
- QB Tyler Shough (hip): FP | FP
- DT Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest): n/a | DNP
- WR Mason Tipton (illness): n/a | DNP
In Neal’s absence it was Audric Estime and Evan Hull stepping into bigger roles, with Estime providing a pair of key receptions late in the game to set up a game-winning kick by Charlie Smyth.
Related
The Saints announced a flurry of roster moves, along with Neal’s, signing WR Kevin Austin Jr. into the vacated spot. Austin is expected to have a significant role with WR Devaughn Vele already ruled out for the week. The Saints also signed WR Elijah Moore and RB Nyheim Hines to the practice squad, while terminating the contract of kicker Cade York.
The Saints will have to make at least one more transaction this week to add Smyth to the active roster, a move that head coach Kellen Moore confirmed would be coming after maxing out the kicker’s practice squad elevations.
Check back for updates.