The New Orleans Saints have ruled out three players for their Week 5 matchup with the Vikings, while seven others have been listed as questionable.
The most notable absence will be that of LB Kaden Elliss (calf) who will be missing his second consecutive game. He was replaced in Week 4 by Danny Stutsman, though this time around they could potentially turn to LB Jaylan Ford (ankle) who returned to practice this week from injured reserve and was a full participant in all three practices. Head coach Kellen Moore wouldn't confirm on Friday that he or rookie DB Lorenzo Styles would be officially activated from IR this week, though they'll have to make a decision by Saturday.
Among the players listed as questionable, the biggest name is RB Alvin Kamara. He dealt with a knee injury during his two-touchdown game against the Falcons, but has been battling a back injury throughout the week. He was held out of the walkthrough on Wednesday and was a full participant on both Thursday and Friday. If Kamara can't go, expect a heavy workload for Kendre Miller and CJ Donaldson, while Zamir White and/or Ulysses Bentley IV could be options off the practice squad.
Chris Olave's status has been a topic of conversation throughout the week, but he was upgraded to a full participant on Friday and does not have a gameday designation.
Olave was listed with a rest day on Wednesday, an absence that Moore insisted was not relative to a hit to the knee area that occurred late during the loss to the Falcons. Olave confirmed on Friday that it was, indeed, a rest day and that it was a collaborative decision to rest tired legs. The Saints star WR was listed with a foot injury after Thursday's practice, a product of being stepped on during that session. Olave, currently second in the NFL in receptions (35) and yards (491), did not expect the injury to impact him on Sunday.
Here's how the final injury report broke down for the Saints:
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- S Julian Blackmon (shoulder): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- WR Barion Brown (thigh): DNP | LP | FP - questionable
- LB Kaden Elliss (calf): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- TE Noah Fant (abdomen): LP | LP | FP - questionable
- LB Jaylan Ford (ankle): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- DT Davon Godchaux (groin; NIR-rest): FP | DNP | FP
- DE Carl Granderson (ankle): LP | LP | FP
- DE Anfernee Jennings (knee): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- RB Alvin Kamara (back): DNP | LP | LP - questionable
- DT Christen Miller (illness): n/a | n/a | DNP - questionable
- WR Chris Olave (foot; NIR-rest): DNP | LP | FP
- CB Jayden Price (NIR-personal): n/a | DNP | FP
- S Mike Reid (ankle): LP | FP | FP
- QB Tyler Shough (left hand): LP | FP | FP
- CB Lorenzo Styles Jr. (calf): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- G Jeremiah Wright (concussion): n/a | LP | DNP - questionable
Two rookies in G Jeremiah Wright (concussion) and DT Christen Miller (illness) were late additions to the injury report and are listed as questionable. Miller, the team's second round pick, was a healthy scratch last week as he worked back from a foot injury.
The Saints do appear to be on track to get a pair of key players back in TE Noah Fant (abdomen) and DE Carl Granderson (ankle). Both players missed last week after suffering injuries during the Week 3 loss to the Raiders. WR/KR Barion Brown was upgraded to full on Friday, but is listed as questionable.
The Vikings will be without at least one starter in LT Christian Darrisaw (concussion) and will have to wait and see on the status of their top two WRs. Here's how their side of the injury report broke down on Friday:
- WR Jordan Addison (hamstring): DNP | LP | LP - questionable
- OT Christian Darrisaw (concussion): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- CB Charles Demmings (hamstring): DNP | LP | LP - out
- WR Justin Jefferson (ankle): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- RB Aaron Jones (NIR-rest): LP | FP | FP
- C Michael Jurgens (elbow): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- OT Brian O'Neill (knee): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- S Harrison Smith (NIR-rest): n/a | n/a | LP
- P Brett Thorson (right hamstring): FP. | FP | FP
- TE Ben Yurosek (ankle): FP | FP | FP - questionable
The Saints (1-3) host the Vikings (4-0) at noon Sunday inside the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
