The New Orleans Saints had a few notable absences during their Wednesday practice ahead of a Week 5 showdown with the Vikings, a group that included star WR Chris Olave.
That absence was not injury related however, with head coach Kellen Moore repeatedly stating that Olave was simply getting a rest day. Olave went off the field gingerly late during the loss to the Falcons after taking what appeared to be a hit to his knee. Wednesday's practice was a walkthrough, so the injury report was an estimation.
"He just needed a rest day," Moore said, noting that there was no need for additional testing.
The Saints were also without Alvin Kamara, who was listed with a back issue. That's a positive sign, considering he was battling a knee injury during the game. Quarterback Tyler Shough was limited with a left hand injury, but he said it does not affect him gripping the ball.
The Saints were still without Kaden Elliss, who missed Week 4 with a calf issue. Pete Werner was removed from the injury report entirely after missing all three days last week with a shoulder injury.
Here's how the full injury report broke down on Wednesday:
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- S Julian Blackmon (shoulder): LP
- WR Barion Brown (thigh): DNP
- LB Kaden Elliss (calf): DNP
- TE Noah Fant (abdomen): LP
- LB Jaylan Ford (ankle): FP
- DT Davon Godchaux (groin): FP
- DE Carl Granderson (ankle): LP
- DE Anfernee Jennings (knee): DNP
- RB Alvin Kamara (back): DNP
- WR Chris Olave (NIR-rest): DNP
- S Mike Reid (ankle): LP
- QB Tyler Shough (left hand): LP
- CB Lorenzo Styles (calf): FP
The Saints did have a handful of players return to practice after time missed, including Carl Granderson (ankle). There were also two players who had their return from IR practice windows opened in LB Jaylan Ford (ankle) and DB Lorenzo Styles Jr. (calf). The Saints have up to 21 days to add those two players back to the active roster. Ford's return could loom large to bolster a banged-up LB room.
On the Vikings side there will be several key players to watch, particularly on the offensive side with OT Christian Darrisaw in concussion protocol and two top WRs navigating injury. Here's how their report broke down:
- WR Jordan Addison (hamstring): DNP
- OT Christian Darrisaw (concussion): DNP
- CB Charles Demmings (hamstring): DNP
- WR Justin Jefferson (ankle): LP
- RB Aaron Jones (NIR-rest): LP
- C Michael Jurgens (elbow): FP
- OT Brian O'Neill (knee): LP
- P Brett Thorson (right hamstring): FP
- TE Ben Yurosek (ankle): FP
The Saints (1-3) host the Vikings (4-0) for a noon start on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
