The New Orleans Saints got some good injury news on Thursday, but also some potential new hurdles to face in Week 2.
Let's start with the good: After missing Wednesday's practice due to injury, RT Taliese Fuaga (knee) was back on the field for limited action. His injury is related to an inflamed patellar tendon, according to a report from Matt Paras of NOLA.com, and will be something Kellen Moore said the second-year pro will have to navigate throughout the season. Fuaga originally suffered the injury during one of the final camp practices and it was aggravated during Week 1, when he was ultimately replaced by newcomer Asim Richards for the final quarter.
Fuaga's status will be one to watch, as will that of long snapper Zach Wood, who arrived on the injury report this week with an elbow issue and was downgraded to a DNP on Thursday. The Saints don't have a backup long-snapper on the roster, but they do have a handful of players who could take over those duties in case of emergency. Special teams coordinator named practice squad WR Cedrick Wilson and LB Nephi Sewell and rookie TE Moliki Matavao as potential options, and that the team also has a short list of potential players they could sign if needed.
Wood has been the Saints long snapper since 2017 and has appeared in 133 of 133 possible regular season games.
Here's how the full Saints injury report broke down on Thursday:
DNP = did not participate; LP = limited participation; FP = full participation
- S Julian Blackmon (shoulder): DNP | DNP
- OT Taliese Fuaga (knee): DNP | LP
- G/T Trevor Penning (toe): DNP | DNP
- DE Chase Young (calf): DNP | DNP
- RB Velus Jones (knee): LP | LP
- LS Zach Wood (elbow): LP | DNP
- S Jordan Howden (oblique): FP | FP
The likelihood of Chase Young's season debut continues to decrease, though he could still potentially have a chance to return on Friday and play in the game. Trevor Penning appears almost certain to be ruled out for Week 2 and has not seen the field since departing with a foot injury in the preseason opener.
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Julian Blackmon is set to undergo surgery and will likely be sent to IR soon. Rookie Jonas Sanker is expected to take over in the starting lineup.
Here's how the 49ers side of the equation broke down:
- DE Nick Bosa (rest): DNP | FP
- DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee): DNP | LP
- WR Jauan Jennings (shoulder): DNP | DNP
- RB Christian McCaffrey (rest/calf): DNP | FP
- QB Brock Purdy (left shoulder/toe): DNP | DNP
- OT Trent Williams (rest/knee): DNP | DNP
- G Ben Bartch (knee/elbow): LP | LP
- RB Jordan James (finger): LP | LP
- WR Jordan Watkins (ankle): LP | LP
- LB Luke Gifford (knee): FP | FP
- QB Mac Jones (knee): FP | FP
- G Dominick Puni (knee): FP | FP
The Saints (0-1) host the 49ers (1-1) at noon Sunday inside the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.