The New Orleans Saints are still a week away from their season-opener, but a few big names still have their status well up in the air.
The most significant is likely that of Trevor Penning, who has been out recovering since suffering a foot injury during the preseason opener against the Chargers. He was spotted on the sidelines of the finale vs the Broncos wearing a protective boot. He's since shed that, but head coach Kellen Moore still wouldn't confirm any timeline for his return.
“We’ll see about the Week 1 thing. We’ve got a few days off this weekend and then we’ll kind of see what the timelines present theirself for these guys," Moore said, "but he’s done an awesome job. He’s out of the boot now, so that’s really cool to see and so we’ll just see how these timelines play out leading up to Week 1.”
Penning was in the midst of a position switch to guard this offseason, a move that had seemingly gone well over the first month of camp. If the former first-round pick can't go it'll almost certainly be Dillon Radunz filling that spot, with the veteran taking first-team reps in each of the final preseason games. It would mark an early start to injury woes on a unit that struggled mightily in that area a year ago.
Moore also kept things vague in regard to Alontae Taylor, who hasn't practiced since suffering what was described as a groin injury leading up to the preseason opener. Taylor took on the highly valued star role, which is new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley's version of a nickel corner.
“He’s just continuing to go through the rehab process," Moore said, "so yea, he’s doing a nice job. I feel like he’s right where he needs to be.”
If he can't go it'll be another veteran, Ugo Amadi, expected to fill in. Terrell Burgess could also be an option from reps. The veteran safety didn't land on the initial 53-man roster, but he can be elevated from the practice squad up to three times.
The Saints were also without safeties Julian Blackmon and Jordan Howden for each of the past two days with undisclosed injuries. Blackmon went back to the locker room with a trainer in the first half against the Broncos, but did return to the sideline in street clothes for the second half. DT Khristian Boyd was also absent due to a hand injury.
The final week of the preseason is open, a change the NFL implemented in the 2021 season, meaning players will get a few days off before returning on Monday to kick off the first official game week of the season. With that will come the first official injury report on Wednesday, which should offer some clarity as the opener against the Cardinals draws closer.
