Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints are still missing one of their key pieces on defense and now have multiple players held out of practice on the offensive line.
Here is the information from Wednesday’s injury report.
New Orleans Saints
Did Not Participate
S Julian Blackmon (Shoulder)
T/G Trevor Penning (Toe)
T Taliese Fuaga (Knee)
DE Chase Young (Calf)
Limited Participation
RB Velus Jones Jr. (Knee)
LS Zach Wood (Elbow)
Full Participation
S Jordan Howden (Oblique)
Still not seeing Young is a surprise. In response, the Saints brought defensive end Fadil Diggs back to the practice squad without moving one of the other defensive ends off of the roster. So New Orleans is again holding on to three edge rushers behind their four active roster players. That could be very easy to read into.
Head coach Kellen Moore wasn’t ready to rule any players out early this week. Including Fuaga, who was present but not in uniform. If Young can’t go again Sunday, another Diggs signing or elevation would be likely. Meanwhile offensive lineman Asim Richards is assumed to be poised to step into the right tackle role again.
Blackmon will soon head to injured reserve, as Moore also confirmed that the safety’s shoulder injury will require surgery, which he is expected to undergo this week. It sounds like rookie safety Jonas Sanker is going to see the bulk of the action in Blackmon’s absence.
#Saints HC Kellen Moore said that Jonas Sanker is going to an awesome job filling in for Julian Blackmon after his injury.
Said other players will rotate in, but sounds like Sanker will get the bulk of the work there.
— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) September 10, 2025
San Francisco 49ers
Did Not Participate:
DE Nick Bosa (NIR – Resting Player)
DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Knee)
WR Jauan Jennings (Shoulder)
RB Christian McCaffrey (Calf, NIR – Resting Player)
QB Brock Purdy (Left Shoulder, Toe)
T Trent Williams (Knee, NIR – Resting Player)
Limited Participation:
G Ben Bartch (Knee, Elbow)
RB Jordan James (Finger)
WR Jordan Watkins (Ankle)
Full Participation:
LB Luke Gifford (Knee)
QB Mac Jones (Knee)
G Dominick Puni (Knee)
The 49ers are already without start tight end George Kittle, who was placed on Injured Reserve early in the week with a hamstring injury, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The team’s top wideout began the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list as he recovers from last year’s ACL injury.
Now, they may be without starting quarterback Purdy as well. It’s been a tough start the year health-wise for the 49ers. That may open the door for the Saints to surprise on Sunday.
This story was updated at 6:46 p.m. CT to include San Francisco’s practice report information.
