By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. – With the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers set to square off this weekend, both teams are coming in hurt. The Saints have ruled out five players with three questionable. Meanwhile the Buccaneers have ruled out five of their own with another player doubtful.
Here’s the information from Friday’s final Week 6 injury report, with game designations:
New Orleans Saints
Out:
QB Derek Carr (Oblique)
S Will Harris Jr. (Hamstring)
TE Taysom Hill (Rib)
LB Pete Werner (Hamstring)
OL Cesar Ruiz (Knee)
Questionable:
RB Kendre Miller (Hamstring)
C/G Lucas Patrick (Chest)
DE Payton Turner (Knee)
No Destination (Good To Go):
LB Willie Gay Jr. (Hand)
WR Rashid Shaheed (Hip)
RB Alvin Kamara (Hip/Hand)
No surprises based on practice participation when it comes to those ruled out. What’s unfortunate, however, is that the team will not be able to get Hill back on the field to help with the offense and that Werner will now miss two games due to an injury suffered in practice.
Miller is listed as questionable despite fully participating in practice all week, but that shouldn’t be a surprise. His designation won’t be so much about his health, but rather his ability to pick up a playbook he did not get much time with since he missed out on all of training camp. And of course his conditioning will be a factor in his return as well considering the amount of practice he’s missed since suffering his hamstring injury the first day of camp. Head coach Dennis Allen expressed encouragement relative to his injury and playbook progress thus far, but when asked about returning to the field this week, he remained mum.
Getting Gay Jr. back is pretty substantial for New Orleans, especially with the absence of Werner. Starter Demario Davis will have a talented running mate beside him in the middle of the field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Out:
C Graham Barton (Hamstring)
CB Cristian Izien (Elbow/Groin)
WR Trey Palmer (Concussion)
WR Kameron Johnson (Ankle()
DL Earnest Brown IV (Ribs)
Doubtful:
RB Rachaad White (Foot)
Questionable:
WR Jalen McMillan (Hamstring)
S Jordan Whitehead (Groin)
S Antoine Winfield Jr. (Foot)
OT Luke Goedeke (Concussion)
DT Calijah Kancey (Claf)
No Designation (Good To Go):
DL William Gholston (Knee)
LB Lavonte David (Rest)
WR Mike Evans (Rest)
Key things to watch for the Bucs will be the health of their offensive line with their starting center and one of their tackles questionable. But their defensive line looks to be getting stronger with the upcoming debut expected for Kancey. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Winfield Jr., a key play for head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, will be a gametime decision.
