The injury list in Saints camp is already getting a little too long for comfort, and that’s the backdrop as the team tries to enjoy Drew Brees’ Hall of Fame moment. Training camp always brings bumps and bruises, but New Orleans is now dealing with enough health questions that the concern is starting to stack up.
Some of the issues have been minor day-to-day matters. Others have been far more serious, including Bryan Bresee being ruled out for the season. That kind of mix is exactly what can make a camp feel shaky fast, especially for a roster still trying to build reliable depth in key spots.
The Saints managed to steer clear of this kind of injury pileup last offseason, and even when the problems hit later in the year, many of them were the sort that couldn’t really be prevented. This time around, the margin for error feels even smaller. The rebuild is still young, and New Orleans does not have the kind of depth that lets it shrug off a run of injuries without consequences.
Three more injuries reported today only added to the unease, depending on how serious they turn out to be.
Chris Olave dealt with a wrist injury, though this one appears to be the least alarming of the group. He did return to practice shortly after leaving, which is the best sign the Saints could have hoped for. Still, anytime Olave needs attention on the sideline, it’s enough to make the team and its fans hold their breath.
The other names are more concerning from a roster-construction standpoint, especially for an offense and line group that can’t really afford setbacks. If Radunz is unavailable, the Saints can survive that because he is not a starter.
But if the interior offensive line starts taking hits, the picture gets much murkier. That’s where the depth could be exposed in a hurry if the group’s development doesn’t come along.
In Other News...
Saints May Have Found A Cameron Jordan Successor To Watch
One of the more useful exercises this time of year is spotting prospects who fit a long-term need before the draft chatter really takes over, and Minnesota edge rusher Anthony Smith has the look of a player worth keeping on the Saints radar. The appeal starts with the basics: he brings the kind of physical profile teams want on the edge, and his latest season showed real production to go with it, including notable sack and tackle-for-loss totals.
For New Orleans, the attraction is pretty clear. Cameron Jordan has defined that position for a long time, so any future successor has to offer more than pass-rush flashes. Smiths calling card also includes sturdy play against the run, which gives him a broader foundation than a pure edge specialist and makes him an easy fit for a team trying to think ahead without forcing a conclusion too early. This is still only a scouting lead, not a prediction, but it is the sort of name that can stick once the Saints start sorting out their draft board. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Already Have An Early Camp Concern Fans Can't Ignore
The Saints are barely into the season, but the injury list is already getting hard to ignore. New Orleans has been dealing with several roster setbacks coming out of Week 1, and the early attrition is the kind of thing that can quickly test a teams depth before the real rhythm of the year has even settled in.
Bryan Bresees knee injury is the most damaging blow, since it will keep him out for the rest of the season. On top of that, Kendre Miller, Christen Miller and Jeremiah Wright are all listed day-to-day with minor injuries, leaving the Saints to manage a handful of short-term absences while hoping the bigger concern does not turn into a lingering problem. [Read more 🡒]