Saints, Bucs rule out key starters for Week 14

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – As the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers brace for impact, expect a few big names to be absent. As the Week 14 division clash nears, the teams released their final injury reports with both clubs ruling out three players each.

A loaded DNP list for New Orleans today. Bucs estimated. pic.twitter.com/1gm5FCHzrn

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) December 3, 2025

New Orleans Saints

Out

T Taliese Fuaga (ankle)
RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)
S Justin Reid (knee)

Questionable

WR Chris Olave (back)

No Designation (Good to go)

S Jonas Sanker (head)

The Saints will be down three starters, two on offense and one on defense. The absences will thrust young players like right tackle Asim Richards, rookie running back Devin Neal and third-year safety Jordan Howden into larger roles. Expect veteran safety Terrell Burgess (only in his fifth year) to get opportunities at safety with Reid sidelined as well.

Some of the injury impact was lessened with the returns of Olave and Sanker to practice as the week continued. Olave is managing a back injury that struck during practices headed into the Week 13 game at Miami, but was able to participate Thursday and Friday on a limited basis.

After missing Thursday’s practice with a head ailment, Sanker was full-go on Friday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Out

WR Mike Evans (IR) (collarbone)
WR Jalen McMillan (IR) (neck)
S Rashad Wisdom (IR) (quad)

Questionable

T Tristan Wirfs (oblique)

No Game Designation (Good to go)

WR Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula)
RB Bucky Irving (shoulder)
QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder)
CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring)
OLB Haason Reddick (ankle)
LB Lavonte David (NIR-rest)

Tampa opened the practice windows for Evans and McMillan, but neither will see their return against the Saints. New Orleans won’t be able to take their foot off the gas, however, as Tampa still has a host of talented wide receivers.

An important name to watch over the weekend will be Wirfs. He was elevated from not participating to limited on Friday, which is a positive trend for Tampa.

With Mayfield, Godwin and Irving all ready to go, the Bucs will still have a lot of firepower awaiting New Orleans as Sunday noon kickoff approaches.