Posted on Oct 05
Saints ruled out Taysom Hill and several other players for Monday night's game
u/alex •
Injuries plague the New Orleans Saints ahead of Monday night's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Why it matters: The absence of key players, including Taysom Hill and several linemen, poses a significant challenge for the Saints as they face a formidable opponent.
- Taysom Hill, the versatile tight end, will miss the game due to rib fractures.
- Linebacker Willie Gay has a hand injury, while right guard Cesar Ruiz and center Shane Lemieux are sidelined with knee and ankle injuries, respectively.
- Defensive end Payton Turner is also ruled out, further depleting the defensive line.
What's new: Despite the long list of injuries, several players are expected to return to action.
- Linebacker Demario Davis, wide receiver Chris Olave, and running back Alvin Kamara participated fully in practice and are likely to play.
- Left tackle Taliese Fuaga was limited in practice due to back and knee issues, while kicker Blake Grupe returned for a full practice session after missing Thursday's practice.
- Linebacker Pete Werner remains questionable with a hamstring injury.
What to watch: The potential absence of three starting linemen from Week 1 could impact the Saints' offensive performance and protection for their quarterbacks.
Yes, but: Despite the challenges, the Saints have shown resilience and depth throughout the season. They have overcome injuries before and managed to remain competitive.
- The team waived wide receiver A.T. Perry to create room for the signing of center Connor McGovern from the Jets' practice squad.
- Coach Dennis Allen acknowledged the extensive injury list but remained hopeful about the team's ability to navigate through the challenges.
Allen quotes:
- On the injury list: "Don't ask me about the list because it's pretty extensive."
- On A.T. Perry's release: "Probably the biggest thing that went into the decision in terms of healthy inactives and guys that we could create a spot with to sign the offensive lineman."
- On A.T. Perry's potential return: "I still think he's got some ability, so we'll see what happens."
What's next: The Saints will need to rely on their depth and adaptability to overcome the absence of key players and compete against the Chiefs.
The bottom line: Injuries have hit the Saints hard, but they have shown resilience throughout the season. Their ability to adjust and perform in challenging circumstances will be tested once again in Monday night's game.