The New Orleans Saints haven't ruled out any players for their Week 6 showdown against the Steelers in Paris, but they will have a few decisions to watch leading up to kickoff.
Saints RG Cesar Ruiz (knee) missed the first two days of practice, but he was limited on Friday and listed as questionable. Ruiz left late in the second quarter of last week's win over the Giants and was replaced by rookie Jeremiah Wright, who would be in line to start.
“We’ll just see how [Ruiz] responds and then we’ll go from there,” said head coach Kellen Moore.
The other player listed as questionable is Nathan Shepherd, who was a full participant in the first two days of practice but is still working back from an illness that has cost him the past two games.
Here's how the full injury report broke down for Friday:
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- K Daniel Carlson (NIR-personal): DNP | DNP | FP
- RB CJ Donaldson (shoulder): LP | FP | FP
- LB Kaden Elliss (calf): LP | LP | FP
- DT Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest): n/a | DNP | FP
- DE Anfernee Jennings (knee): LP | LP | FP
- RB Alvin Kamara (back): LP | LP | LP
- CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (head): FP | FP | FP
- QB Spencer Rattler (knee): n/a | FP | FP
- OT Asim Richards (hand): n/a | n/a | FP
- RG Cesar Ruiz (knee): DNP | DNP | LP - questionable
- DT Nathan Shepherd (illness/NIR-rest): FP | FP | DNP - questionable
- QB Tyler Shough (left hand): FP | FP | FP
The biggest news of Friday was the arrival of Daniel Carlson, who stayed behind in the states earlier in the week with his wife, xx, expecting their fourth child. The baby still hasn't arrived, and Carlson said all is well on that front. They're hopeful that he'll be able to play in the game and get back in time. Carlson, who is coming off a game with multiple long field goal makes, got in his normal kicking session on Wednesday back at home and kicked again on Friday, an important session to get acclimated to the conditions in Paris.
The weather has been chilly, windy and rainy, with similar conditions expected for the game on Sunday. The team's practice on Friday was closed to the media due to the high winds and rain impacting the area.
"It's great to be able to come out here and prepare," Carlson said. That's why ultimately I ended up coming today. As much as I'd love to be at home and make sure everything is OK -- and everything is -- but I wanted to make sure I had a chance to be here at practice with the team and test the elements and feel what it's going to be on gameday, most likely. And so just really grateful that the Saints have been so gracious to help me in my personal situation, but as a team to help us prepare the best we can for Sunday."
There is no gameday designation for either LB Kaden Elliss (calf) or DE Anfernee Jennings, indicating both players are ready to make their returns after three weeks missed with their respective injuries. RB Alvin Kamara also does not have a designation and is expected to play, though he continues to be limited due to a nagging back issue.
LT Asim Richards was also a late addition with an injury to his left thumb that occurred during the win over the Giants. He was wearing a hefty wrap over the thumb when he spoke to the media on Friday, but indicated it was not expected to be an issue.
The Steelers ruled out a pair of players for the game. Their final injury report is an estimation as they opted to cancel their Friday practice due to inclement weather. The practice was scheduled to be held at Stade de France shortly after they landed in Paris. Pittsburgh opted to travel late in the week and did not land until Friday morning.
Here's how their injury report broke down:
- RB Rico Dowdle (knee): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- CB Brandin Echols (hamstring): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- S DeShon Elliott (knee): FP | FP. | FP - questionable
- DT Cam Heyward (NIR-rest): DNP | DNP | FP
- LB Alex Highsmith (groin): LP | LP | FP
- DE Sebastian Joseph-Day (triceps): DNP | FP | FP
- CB Jalen Ramsey (wrist): DNP | LP | FP
- WR Ben Skowronek (calf): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- DE TJ Watt (NIR-rest/calf): DNP | LP | FP
The Saints (2-4) and Steelers (4-2) will face off at 8:30 a.m. Sunday inside Stade de France for the NFL's first-ever Paris game. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
