Aug 10, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore watches from the sidelines against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
IRVINE, Calif. — The New Orleans Saints returned to the practice field Tuesday following their preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers with a day that escalated from individual position drills to full-team “call it” periods.
Quarterback Rotation:
The Saints had two unique team drill sets, one scripted and one called live.
Scripted
Spencer Rattler led the first team, Tyler Shough ran with the second team and Jake Haener was with the third team.
Call It
Rattler was with the second team offense going up against the first team defense and Shough led the first team offense against the second team defense.
Quarterback Stats (Running Totals):
Rattler: 8/16 with an interception (117/167, 12 passing touchdowns, three rushing touchdowns, five interceptions)
Shough: 10/14 (100/163, seven passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and four interceptions)
Haener: 2/3 (91/134, five passing touchdowns, two interceptions)
Rattler Summary:
Rattler started his day 1-for-6 before picking up steam in the final “call it” period where he had marched the Saints’ offense from the opposing 35 to the red zone on what was a 16-play drive, including a third-and-10 conversion.
Unfortunately for Rattler, a second-and-seven pass to crossing wide receiver Dante Pettis careened off of his hands and into the arms of safety Julian Blackmon for an interception. The ball hawking safety just knows when to be where. Before that pass, Rattler was a very efficient 7-for-9.
Shough Summary:
Shough ended up with the stronger numbers, throwing very efficiently and leading a touchdown drive during one of his “call it” series. He connected on 5-of-7 passing during the drive, getting the Saints offense from the opposing 35 to a deep red zone snap that was run in for a touchdown by running back Alvin Kamara. It was a strong showing for Shough on Tuesday.
Pass Rush Stands Out:
The Saints defense had a nice day, mostly keeping the offense out of scoring position and forcing a few turnovers on downs throughout the called sequences.
Edge rushers Chase Young, Carl Granderson and Isaiah Foskey all notched at least one pressure. While linebacker Peter Werner forced blown whistles with a pair of sacks, Jaylan Ford got one and defenders Fadil Diggs, Isaiah Stalbird and Jonah Williams all converged around Haener for what would have been a sack as well.
Attendance and Injury Updates:
CB Alontae Taylor, WR Bub Means, EDGE Jasheen Davis and OL Trevor Penning were the active roster players absent.
Taylor was out managing a groin injury. Head coach Kellen Moore said that he will be out “a little while.” The injury happened at Friday’s practice, per Moore.
Penning is out with a foot injury, Means is seeking a second opinion but is out for now with an ankle injury and Davis is managing a minor ailment.
Running back Devin Neal and safety J.T. Gray were both working on the side with trainers throughout practice.
Next Man Up:
With left guard Trevor Penning out for a few weeks, veteran offensive lineman Dillon Radunz took his place.
With Taylor out, Terrell Burgess stepped in at nickel.
Backup center Will Clapp was moved to Injured Reserve before practice. Undrafted rookie center Torricelli Simpkins III worked as the second team center in his place.
New Faces:
Several new faces were present along with one return.
OL Mike Panasiuk (No. 61)
DT Jayden Peevy (No. 62)
WR Roderick Daniels (No. 89)
Daniels worked with the team during rookie minicamp as well. The team also brought back tight end Seth Green, who sported his No. 42 jersey from his previous stint.
Up Next:
The Saints will hold another practice on Wednesday, again set for the 4:00 p.m. PT range. While talks remain ongoing about a potential joint practice with the Rams on Thursday, Moore said that details are still being worked out between both teams and that nothing is set as of now.
