The New Orleans Saints got a few starting linemen back at their Wednesday practice, but there was one surprise absence.
C Erik McCoy (groin) and G Lucas Patrick (calf) both practiced in a limited capacity after missing Week 13 against the Rams. The team is hopeful that they can both make their return in Week 14 against the Giants.
The lone surprise absence was in the form of G Cesar Ruiz, who finished Sunday's game against the Rams but ended up in the concussion protocol after the game. Head coach Darren Rizzi said he's progressed well through the early stages of the concussion protocol and the team is hopeful that he'll clear that process quickly.
Here's how the Saints initial injury report broke down on Wednesday.
FP = full participation; LP = limited participation; DNP = did not participate
- TE Taysom Hill (knee): DNP
- G Cesar Ruiz (concussion): DNP
- G Nick Saldiveri (knee): DNP
- TE Juwan Johnson (foot): LP
- C Erik McCoy (groin): LP
- WR Bub Means (ankle): LP
- TE Foster Moreau (shoulder): LP
- G Lucas Patrick (calf): LP
- DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (achilles): FP
- S Tyrann Mathieu (forearm): FP
- RB Kendre Miller (hamstring): FP
- LB Pete Werner (hand): FP
The only other two absences for the Saints were for TE Taysom Hill (knee) and G Nick Saldiveri (knee). Hill is done for the year with a torn ACL and is expected to land on IR prior to the end of the week. Saldiveri's injury is still more of a mystery, though he is expected to miss extended time if not the remainder of the season.
The Saints also saw a pair of players make their practice returns after a stint on IR in the form of RB Kendre Miller (hamstring) and WR Bub Means (ankle). For Miller, the return is marking the end to a frustrating second stint on IR that he didn't see as necessary after suffering what he described as a minor tweak to his hamstring during a loss to the Chargers. It was the opposite hamstring as the one he injured early in training camp. Miller says he is a full go and is eager to show what he can do the rest of the way. Without Hill there will be ample opportunity for Miller to contribute in the run game.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu was also a full participant after leaving Sunday's game with what is now being described as a forearm injury suffered when he made a tackle of Kyren Williams in the open field.
The Giants injury report also has several key players missing practice. Here's how their side of the injury report broke down.
- Tae Banks (rib): DNP
- OL Jermaine Eluemunor (quad): DNP
- OL Evan Neal (hip): DNP
- DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches (neck/shoulder): DNP
- LB Bobby Okereke (back): DNP
- DL DJ Davidson (shoulder): LP
- QB Tommy DeVito (right forearm): LP
- WR Bryce Ford-Wheaton (achilles): LP
- LB Dyontae Johnson (ankle): LP
- DL Jordan Riley (knee): LP
