The New Orleans Saints and Baltimore Ravens are set to square off for their matchup on Sunday and both teams will take the field without some key contributors.
Each team released its final injury report for the week, including game designations and there appears to be more optimism on the Saints’ side than Baltimore. But should things not continue in a positive direction, some big names could be game-changing absences on Sunday.
New Orleans Saints
Out
- LS Zach Wood (calf) – placed on Injured Reserve
Doubtful
- LB Isaiah Stalbird (shoulder)
Questionable
- WR Chris Olave (hamstring)
- EDGE Chase Young (calf)
- DL Christen Miller (toe)
No Designation (Good to Go)
- TE Juwan Johnson (illness)
- TE Oscar Delp (hamstring)
- EDGE Cameron Jordan (hamstring)
- RB Alvin Kamara (knee)
- DL Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest)
There appears to be optimism surrounding Olave and Young, who remained limited during Friday’s practice after being downgraded on Thursday, a good sign that the duo were able to participate.
Miller is the fourth player added to the injury report this week during practices. A toe injury popped up during Friday’s practice, but despite a few injuries since entering the league, he’s consistently found his way to the field. The big-bodied run-plugger would be a key loss, or gain, for New Orleans depending on how his availability trends going into Sunday’s game.
The Ravens’ run game, led by starting running back Derrick Henry. Big bodies in the middle of the defensive line like Miller will be vital to matching up.
On the positive side of the report, the Saints are now expecting the season debuts of Kamara, Jordan and Delp. All three can have a positive impact on their respective sides of the ball in their first action of the season.
Baltimore Ravens
Out
- DL Nnamdi Madubuike (neck)
- CB T.J. Tampa (knee)
- LB Teddye Buchanan (knee)
Doubtful
- WR Zay Flowers (hamstring)
Questionable
- OLB Trey Hendrickson (finger)
- G John Simpson (groin)
- T Ronnie Staley (toe)
No Designation (Good to Go)
- DL Calais Campbell (NIR-rest)
- S Keondre Jackson (shoulder)
- S Jaylinn Hawkins (chest)
- WR Devontez Walker (groin)
The biggest name to watch here will be Flowers. He’s second in the NFL (behind Saints wideout Chris Olave) in receiving yards with 150 in his season debut. He did so despite leaving the game with almost six minutes still left in the second quarter.
If he isn’t elevated to questionable on Saturday, he will be ineligible to play on Sunday. That would be a major loss for the Ravens’ passing attack, which is already without rookie receiver Ja’Kobi Lane, who was off to a hot start with the club.
That could force the Ravens to be a bit more one-dimensional than they would like in this matchup, but their run game is one of the best in the league.
Baltimore may or may not end up being without a top playmaker, but the Saints won’t be able to rest easy in the process.
