Mike Dinovo-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released their first injury reports ahead of their Week 8 matchup. The Bucs have listed a slew of players while the Saints have some big names listed.
New Orleans Saints
Did Not Participate:
WR Chris Olave (ankle)
CB Alontae Taylor (NIR-personal matter)
DE Chase Young (illness)
Limited Participation:
TE Juwan Johnson (neck)
RB Alvin Kamara (ankle)
Full Participation:
DT John Ridgeway III (shoulder)
New Orleans looked to have a few concerning injuries on Wednesday with Olave, Taylor and Young not present for practice and Johnson in a non-contact jersey, but all looks to be settling in okay afterall.
Olave is expected to play, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, Taylor was out for a personal matter and Young is just managing illness. Each occasion should allow the team to breathe a little easier after losing starting center Erik McCoy for the season with a pectoral injury and having to be without running back Kendre Miller for the remainder of the season following an ACL tear.
Without McCoy, the Saints will plan to turn things over to veteran lineman Luke Fortner, around whom there is a lot of confidence from players.
“He’s played center, he’s been around a while, and he’s my draft class,” left guard Trevor Penning said Wednesday in the locker room. “”He’s a very bright guy, mentally, with all the IDs and stuff like that. … He’s good on that part. Physically, obviously, he’s gonna be great too. We’re excited for him.”
Meanwhile, rookie running back Devin Neal will be stepping in to rotate with star back Alvin Kamara with Miller out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Did Not Participate:
QB Teddy Bridgewater (teeth)
LB Lavonte David (knee/rib)
WR Emeka Egbuka (hamstring)
DT Greg Gaines (toe)
WR Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula)
G Luke Haggard (shoulder)
RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder)
DB Christian Izien (knee)
OLB Haason Reddick (ankle/knee)
OLB Markees Watts (personal)
S Antoine Winfield Jr. (toe)
Limited Participation:
G Ben Bredeson (shoulder)
TE Devin Culp (knee)
G Michael Jordan (knee)
QB Baker Mayfield (knee)
Full Participation:
CB Zyon McCollum (thumb)
RB Josh Williams (concussion)
The Bucs’ injury report was estimated during a walkthrough on Wednesday after being on the field for Monday Night Football just two nights ago. The notable news to come out of Tampa remains the Injured Reserve appointment of wide receiver Mike Evans following a fractured collarbone.
Bucs head coach Todd Bowles already announced that Irvine, Godwin and Reddick will be out against the Saints..
#Bucs HC Todd Bowles said RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and WR Chris Godwin (fibula) will remain out Sunday vs the Saints.
OLB Haason Reddick (ankle/knee) will also be out.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 22, 2025
