The New Orleans Saints are back in a familiar situation with multiple key pieces of the offensive line on the mend for the foreseeable future.
Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday that it's likely center Erik McCoy (elbow) will not play again this season, though he's not officially being ruled out quite yet. If that's the case it'd mean the team leader and star center appeared in just 7 games during the 2024 season, only finishing four of them.
"Right now it’s non-surgical, so it looks like we avoided that part of it," Rizzi said. "You’re never gonna rule somebody completely out, but it’s probably gonna be a stretch, to be honest.”
Guard Lucas Patrick (knee) was also injured during the Week 16 loss to the Packers and is expected to miss the final two games. Overall there were no changes to the Saints' injury report on Thursday after the team's first full practice of the week. Here's how it broke down:
DNP = did not participate; LP = limited participation; FP = full participation
- QB Derek Carr (left hand): DNP | DNP
- RB Alvin Kamara (groin): DNP | DNP
- C Erik McCoy (elbow): DNP | DNP
- LG Lucas Patrick (knee): DNP | DNP
- TE Juwan Johnson (foot): LP | LP
- DT Nathan Shepherd (eye): LP | LP
- DE Payton Turner (ankle): LP | LP
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest): LP | LP
- WR Chris Olave (head): FP | FP
Rizzi still isn't ruling out QB Derek Carr (left hand) and RB Alvin Kamara (groin), though they were DNPs for the second consecutive day. Carr's availability would depend on whether he can get on the field in some capacity on Friday or Saturday to establish a baseline for how he can operate with his injured hand. If he can't do that, it would be rookie Spencer Rattler making his fifth start of the year.
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"Those guys have been pretty adamant about trying to work their way back and play again this season," Rizzi said. "I think they’ve earned that right, quite frankly, with their leadership."
Rizzi added that the short week makes it unlikely for Kamara to return from the injury suffered during the Week 15 loss to the Commanders, but the season finale against the Bucs is a "realistic" option. Kamara currently sits 50 rushing yards shy of the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. If he can't play it'll be Kendre Miller, Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims getting the bulk of the work, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire representing another option on the practice squad.
Chris Olave is day-to-day as the team weighs his potential return, with one of the chief issues at this point being his cardio after so much time out. The Saints are adding more to his play every day, but at present aren't setting a timeline or decision on whether he'll play again this season.
"He feels really good, he’s in great spirits," Rizzi said. "I just had another good conversation with him today about everything. He’s kind of chomping at the bit a little bit, but at the same time, no different than the other guys, just want to be smart with that
The Raiders added two players to their injury report on Thursday:
- LB Kana'l Mauga (calf): LP | LP
- G Jordan Meredith (ankle): DNP | DNP
- G Jackson Powers-Jordan (quad/ankle): LP | LP
- RB Dylan Laube (illness): n/a | DNP
- DE K'Lavon Chaisson (foot): n/a | FP
The Saints (5-10) host the Raiders (3-12) for a noon kickoff at the Caesars Superdome in Week 17. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.