After some good news for the New Orleans Saints’ injury situation in recent days, the tide turned quickly after the team’s second day of Week 2 practices.
As expected, long snapper Zach Wood was added after an in-practice injury on Wednesday kept him out of Thursday’s practice and is expected to sideline him for at least a month, the Saints also saw their top playmakers, wide receiver Chris Olave and edge rusher Chase Young, added as well.
Olave (hamstring) and Young (calf) were both limited with their new injuries.
This continues a concerning trend on in-practice injuries from early in the 2025 season, but strikes two of the team’s most irreplaceable players.
Young had a calf injury sideline him for five games last year, while Olave has navigated hamstring injuries throughout his career. Both have found success maneuvering through those situations.
Although the players were added on Thursday, they could still very well participate in Sunday’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. But Friday’s injury report will signal that possibility.
If both players are downgraded to not participating, that could be bad news for New Orleans against a Super Bowl contender on Sunday.
Behind Olave, the Saints have a talented room of young players including third-year pass-catcher Devaughn Vele and a pair of exciting rookies in Bryce Lance and Barion Brown. But because of Olave’s sheer talent, any game without him will come with a dropoff.
Meanwhile, the Saints could be getting edge rusher Cameron Jordan back this weekend, who could help the team navigate if Young isn’t able to go. But similar to Olave, being without Young is never without concern.
Jordan remained limited for the second day in a row, along with rookie tight end Oscar Delp, while running back Alvin Kamara was a full participant for the third day since last week.
If Olave ends up being out, the run game will be vital. Having Kamara back would be a huge boost to that area of the game along with fellow ball carriers Travis Etienne Jr. and Kendre Miller.
