The Saints’ first injury report of the season brought a mixed bag, and the final designations for Sunday didn’t exactly clean things up.
New Orleans opens against the Detroit Lions with a few key questions still hanging over the roster. The team has already been dealing with injuries across starters, backups, and depth pieces, and while most of those absences are manageable for now, the margin gets a lot thinner if the problem spreads into the starting lineup.
On Friday, the Saints’ report included four names, not counting Davon Godchaux, who was resting: rookie tight end Oscar Delp, running back Audric Estime, edge Cam Jordan, and running back Alvin Kamara. Jordan had already been ruled out earlier in the week because of a hamstring issue, so his status was the easiest one to read. The other three were updated today.
Delp and Estime are officially out for Sunday. Kamara is listed as questionable.
There is an expectation that Kamara will be able to play, but the door is still open for him to miss the opener. That leaves New Orleans waiting on one of its most important offensive pieces while also losing Delp, who was a candidate to help in a tight end group the Saints want to lean on.
That matters because using more tight ends worked for New Orleans last season, and Kellen Moore appears ready to push that even further. Delp being unavailable takes away a possible option in that plan, and it would not be a surprise if the Saints elevate a tight end from the practice squad for Sunday.
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No. 2 has not exactly been a crowded lane for New Orleans, and the list of Saints who have worn it includes both quarterbacks and kickers. For Rattler, the number change is another small marker of where he is in his development, with the preseason countdown now pointing toward a new year, a new look, and an early road test against Detroit to open the schedule. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Open In Detroit With An Officiating Angle Fans Will Notice
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What stands out most is how Ecks crew has called games, because the whistle count can shape the entire rhythm of a matchup. Last season, his group threw the second-fewest penalty flags per game in the league, which could matter for a Saints team heading into a tough opener where every clean snap and hidden yardage battle could loom large as the game unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Backfield Questions Just Made One Rookie Suddenly Matter
A practice-squad move suddenly carries real Week 1 weight for the Saints, who are expected to elevate rookie running back CJ Donaldson for Sundays matchup with the Lions. With Travis Etienne Jr. and Kendre Miller active, the backfield still has some healthy bodies, but the overall picture is much less settled with Alvin Kamara listed as questionable and Audric Estime ruled out because of a thigh injury.
Donaldsons role could be bigger than a typical early-season call-up if the Saints need help in short-yardage spots or want another body to handle lead-blocking duties. For a rookie who entered the week on the practice squad, that kind of assignment is a quick reminder of how fast backfield plans can change in the NFL, especially when injuries start thinning out the margin for error. [Read more 🡒]