Taliese Fuaga upgraded on Saints’ injury report


Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints had mixed results on Wednesday’s practice report, with a starting lineman back on the field but a team captain’s status downgraded for Week 2.

Here is the information from the Saints’ Thursday injury report.

New Orleans Saints

Did Not Participate

S Julian Blackmon (Shoulder)

T/G Trevor Penning (Toe)

LS Zach Wood (Elbow)

DE Chase Young (Calf)

Limited Participation

T Taliese Fuaga (Knee)

RB Velus Jones Jr. (Knee)

Full Participation

S Jordan Howden (Oblique)

With Fuaga upgraded, it brings him one step closer to returning to the field on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. However, the team did also see one downgrade in long snapper Zach Wood. The elbow injury he is managing could force him to miss his first career game.

Should he miss the game, special teams coordinator Phil Galiano named a few players that could step in to handle his long snapping responsibilities in a pinch.

With Young and Penning trending towards missing their second-consecutive game, offensive lineman Dillon Radunz could again be in line for a start at left guard while rookie Fadil Diggs could find his way back up to the active roster, much like last week.

As for Blackmon, who is expected to miss the remainder of the season after surgery, rookie Jonas Sanker is set to make his defensive debut as a starter.

San Francisco 49ers

Did Not Participate:

WR Jauan Jennings (Shoulder)

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)

DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Knee)

Full Participation:

LB Luke Gifford (Knee)

QB Mac Jones (Knee)

G Dominick Puni (Knee)

DE Nick Bosa (NIR – Resting Player)

RB Christian McCaffrey (Calf, NIR – Resting Player)

The biggest changes for San Francisco are the team’s resting players, though Williams remained out. Meanwhile, offensive lineman Puni went from DNP to limited with his knee injury.

Purdy, Jennings and Williams will be the names to continue to watch. However, it’s already expected that Purdy will miss multiple games with his toe injury.

This story was updated at 5:48 p.m. CT to include San Francisco’s practice report information.

Ross Jackson

New Orleans Saints Content Writer