Saints rule out two, Seahawks list four as doubtful ahead of Sunday

By Ross Jackson

SEATTLE, Wash. — Two players have been ruled out while four are questionable for the New Orleans Saints as the team prepares to take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. 

The Seahawks did not declare any players out for the game, but have four members of their squad listed as doubtful. A doubtful designation typically requires an upgrade to at least questionable in order for the listed player to be available for a game. 

New Orleans Saints:

Out:

OL Dillon Radunz (Toe)

DE Chase Young (Calf)

Questionable:

WR Devaughn Vele (Hip)

WR Trey Palmer (Hamstring)

T/G Trevor Penning (Toe)

T Taliese Fuaga (Back/Knee)

New Orleans won’t have defensive end Chase Young for a third-consecutive game as he wrestles to return from a calf injury. There is hope within the team that he will be back soon, however that return will not come against the Seahawks. 

The team will also have to figure out what its offensive line will look like against Seattle. If both Radunz and Fuaga are out, but Penning is available, he sounds to be ready to make his debut at left guard. Meanwhile it would make sense for the Saints to continue to roll with tackle Asim Richards at right tackle. 

Palmer was not present for Friday’s practice at Husky Stadium, however Vele again participated. The Saints may walk into Sunday’s game with the same five wideouts they have in the first two games, close to a best-case scenario. 

Seattle Seahawks:

Doubtful:

RB Zach Charbonnet (Foot)

S Nick Emmanwori (Ankle)

S Julian Love (Hamstring)

CB Devon Witherspoon (Knee)

No Game Designation (Good to go):

LB Derrick Hall (Knee)

WR Tory Horton (Groin)

CB Josh Jobe (Knee)

LB Ernest Jones (Shoulder)

T Abraham Lucas (Elbow)

Much like how the Saints squared off with an injury-riddled San Francisco 49ers offense in Week 2, they are potentially set to take on a hampered Seattle defense, especially in the secondary. 

New Orleans could be seeing the Seahawks defense without three key defensive backs, including safety Julian Love, who is a versatile, disruptive chess piece in head coach Mike MacDonald’s defense.