The New Orleans Saints (2-2) will see the Kansas City Chiefs (4-0) on Monday Night Football in Week 5. With the primetime start a day after Sunday's action, the first injury report for the matchup just came out on Thursday afternoon.
There's plenty of storylines to watch for New Orleans regarding key injuries to impact players this week. Check out the latest updates below.
Taysom Hill, Cesar Ruiz do not practice on Thursday
Hill and Ruiz were both missed in Week 4. The offensive line had more inconsistencies without Ruiz and center Erik McCoy.
Without Taysom on the field, the Saints have been a much less efficient group so far this season. He suffered broken ribs against Atlanta, to accompany a lung issue that he had entering the matchup in Week 4.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen does not know if Hill will go on injured reserve yet.
Keep an eye out for updates regarding these players, along with Shane Lemieux, Willie Gay Jr., and Payton Turner. Gay is dealing with a hand injury and had surgery at the start of the week.
Demario Davis, Alvin Kamara return to practice
Two banged-up Saints stars were in attendance on Thursday and got some practice reps in for New Orleans. Davis missed last week, while Kamara played with multiple broken ribs.
Both are leaders for the Saints, and they would be a massive help in the team's attempt to give KC their first loss of the season on Monday evening.
Former Chiefs safety, now Saints starter, Tyrann Mathieu also practiced Thursday. Nick Underhill said he doesn't expect Mathieu's injury to be an issue this week. i would expect him to suit up for New Orleans on Monday, too.
Kendre Miller practices for first time in regular season
The young running back returned to action on Thursday. There's growing optimism that he could return from injured reserve as early as this week against the Chiefs.
Dennis Allen said that Miller had a good practice on Thursday in his return. If he plays on Monday night, expect him to play a role for Klint Kubiak's offense.
Saints Week 5 injury report
|
Player (Position) |
Injury |
Thursday’s practice status |
|---|---|---|
|
Taysom Hill (Everything) |
Rib |
Did not practice |
|
Willie Gay Jr. (LB) |
Hand |
Did not practice |
|
Shane Lemieux (OL) |
Ankle |
Did not practice |
|
Payton Turner (DE) |
Knee |
Did not practice |
|
Cesar Ruiz (OL) |
Knee |
Did not practice |
|
Blake Grupe (K) |
Right hip |
Did not practice |
|
Demario Davis (LB) |
Hamstring |
Limited practice |
|
Taliese Fuaga (LT) |
Back |
Limited practice |
|
Alvin Kamara (RB) |
Hip/Ribs |
Limited practice |
|
A.T. Perry (WR) |
Hamstring |
Limited practice |
|
Juwan Johnson (TE) |
Forearm |
Limited practice |
|
Bryan Bresee (DT) |
Ankle |
Limited practice |
|
Kendre Miller (RB) |
Hamstring |
Limited practice |
|
Chris Olave (WR) |
Hamstring |
Full practice |
|
Cedrick Wilson Jr. (WR) |
Ankle |
Full practice |
The biggest, and most positive, news is Kendre Miller returning to the practice field. The second-year running back has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the first day of training camp. He’s technically still on the injured reserve list, but the team has opened his 21-day practice window. At any point in the next 21 days, he can be activated to the active roster.
With both Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill dealing with fractured ribs, New Orleans could use a healthy Miller in the backfield to help carry the load.
In addition to Miller returning, Demario Davis is back on the practice field. He missed the first game of his career because of injury in Week 4 with a hamstring issue, and didn’t practice at all a week ago.
Miller and Davis returning are the only sweet things about the injury report; everything else is extremely bitter. There are 14 total players listed, and six players missed practice all together. One of those players is offensive lineman Shane Lemieux, who found his way into the starting lineup after Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz went down. The Saints simply can’t afford to lose anymore lineman.
By playing on Monday night, New Orleans will have one extra day to get healthy, and the team certainly needs it. This extensive injury report will be monitored closely leading up to the game.
