The Saints opened preseason the way they said they would: by keeping their top players on the sideline.
New Orleans rested its starters for Saturday’s preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and more than 30 players were unavailable overall. Some were held out as part of the plan coach Kellen Moore laid out, while others sat because of injuries.
The list of players who did not suit up was long across every level of the roster. At quarterback, Tyler Shough was out. In the backfield, the Saints were without Travis Etienne, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, who is dealing with a back issue, and Devin Neal, who has a hamstring injury.
At receiver, Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, who has a hamstring injury, and Devaughn Vele all missed the game. Tight ends Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant were also unavailable.
Up front, New Orleans sat left tackle Kelvin Banks, left guard David Edwards, center Erik McCoy, right guard Cesar Ruiz and right tackle Taliese Fuaga.
The defensive front was hit just as hard. Chase Young, Carl Granderson and Cam Jordan, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, all did not play at defensive end. The defensive tackle group was missing Vernon Broughton, Nathan Shepherd, Davon Godchaux, who has an ankle injury, and John Ridgeway, who is dealing with a back issue.
The Saints also had linebackers Kaden Elliss, Pete Werner, Chris Rumph, who has an ankle injury, and Danny Stutsman out. In the secondary, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, Rejzohn Wright, who has a hip injury, Jonas Sanker, Justin Reid, Julian Blackmon and Terrell Burgess, who is dealing with a lower-body injury, were all unavailable.
In Other News...
Jayden Price Is Making Noise In A Saints Battle That Isnt Settled
The Saints cornerback competition has been one of the more watchable parts of camp, and Jayden Price has kept himself in the conversation with a steady training-camp showing. His value is tied to versatility, and that kind of flexibility matters for a secondary still sorting out its backups. For now, he looks like a player the staff can trust in the slot if needed, which is exactly the sort of foothold that can turn a camp performer into a real roster candidate.
Still, nothing about his spot is locked in. Price is in a crowded fight for a place on the depth chart, and the Saints will keep sorting through preseason reps before making any final decisions. The next few weeks will matter for a player who has already made some noise, but still has to prove that the early momentum is enough to stick. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Preseason Opener Could Shake Up More Than A Few Roster Spots
With the starters staying on the sideline for the preseason opener against Jacksonville, the Saints are turning the night into an extended audition for the depth chart. Training camp has already put a few rookies and fringe veterans on the radar, and that group now gets a game setting to back up the momentum they have built in practices. Among the players worth watching are running backs Audric Estime and C.J. Donaldson, wide receivers Bryce Lance, Barion Brown and Kevin Austin, plus linemen Jeremiah Wright and Christen Miller.
The stakes are straightforward even if the roster math is not. New Orleans still has to sort out who can help now and who is merely camp noise, and injuries have kept some contenders from showing everything they can do. For players on the bubble, the opener is one of the first real chances to make a case, and the Saints will be looking closely at which performances translate beyond the practice field. [Read more 🡒]
Saints Offense Has One Concern Bigger Than Tyler Shoughs Progress
Tyler Shough had some encouraging moments in joint practice against the Jacksonville Jaguars, including multiple touchdown passes that gave the Saints a glimpse of what the passing game might look like when it clicks. For a unit trying to take a step forward, that kind of work matters, especially with a young quarterback trying to settle in and build confidence against another defense.
The bigger concern, though, was what kept happening around him. The offensive line allowed plenty of pressure on Shough, a familiar problem for a quarterback who was sacked 31 times last season, and it remains a central issue as New Orleans tries to sharpen its passing attack. The Saints did bring in David Edwards to help the protection, but practice showed there is still work to do before the offense can feel truly comfortable. [Read more 🡒]