Chris Olave back to practice Thursday

By Ross Jackson

METAIRIE, La. – A relatively healthy New Orleans Saints team is seeing perhaps its longest list of coinciding injuries of the year so far, but did get a key player back on Thursday.

After missing Wednesday’s practice as a part of the management plan for his back injury, wide receiver Chris Olave was back at practice on Thursday. With the recent rise of wideout Devaughn Vele and an opponent upcoming that is No. 29 in the league in passing defense, Olave’s availability will have a major impact on the Saints’ ability to move the ball through the air on Sunday.

The following players were not seen during the open portion of practice on Thursday:

• S Justin Reid (knee)
• S Jonas Sanker
• RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)
• T Taliese Fuaga (ankle)
• DT Davon Godchaux

Reid, Kamara and Fuaga are all repeat absences and important ones to watch on Friday’s injury report, which will include game designations. Kamara missed last week’s game and there appears to be at least a reasonable expectation that Reid will be out against the Bucs. The potential loss of Reid for any time could be complicated depending upon the reasoning behind another safeties’ absence.

Sanker was present and participated during Wednesday’s open portion of practice, but was not spotted on Thursday. That could be a compounding issue for New Orleans should his absence be tied to injury considering the potential loss of Reid for the week. The Thursday afternoon injury report will shed further light on this situation.