PARIS, France — The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers have released their first injury reports of the week ahead of their clash on Sunday.
While the Saints saw nine players listed, only one player was held out of practice from the team’s active roster with an injury, starting right guard Cesar Ruiz.
Meanwhile, the Steelers listed five players with ‘Did Not Participate’ designations with two held out for rest.
Here is the information for the first injury report of Week 7:
New Orleans Saints
Did Not Participate
- K Daniel Carlson (NIR-personal matter)
- RG Cesar Ruiz (knee)
Limited Participation
- EDGE Anfernee Jennings (knee)
- RB C.J. Donaldson (shoulder)
- LB Kaden Elliss (calf)
- RB Alvin Kamara (back)
Full Participation
- CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (head)
- QB Tyler Shough (left hand)
- DL Nathan Shepherd (illness)
It’s a relatively positive injury report for New Orleans, considering the active roster. Although rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson won’t make his practice debut this week, the team is otherwise getting very promising injury news this week.
Elliss and Jennings, who have each missed a number of games, both returned to practice and could make their way back to live action against Pittsburgh.
The only negative news for New Orleans here is that Ruiz was out of practice with the knee injury he sustained against the New York Giants. He did make the trip with the team, so his status could improve over the course of the week.
If he were to have to miss, the Saints are high on fourth-round rookie Jeremiah Wright, who performed well in Ruiz’s absence against New York. He could be tasked with his first career start against the Steelers if Ruiz isn’t able to return in time.
Carlson missed with a personal matter with his wife expected to give birth. Head coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday that the kicker is expected in Paris before Sunday’s game. The team could turn to practice squad kicker Charlie Smyth, who wrapped up the 2025 season as the team’s top kicker.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Did Not Participate
- CB Jalen Ramsey (wrist)
- WR Ben Skowronek (calf)
- CB Brandin Echols (hamstring)
- DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (triceps)
- LB T.J. Watt (NIR-resting player)
- DT Cameron Heyward (NIR-resting player)
Limited Participation
- RB Rico Dowdle (knee)
- LB Alex Highsmith (groin)
Full Participation
- LB DeShon Elliott (hamstring)
The key names to watch here will be Ramsey, Dowdle and Highsmith.
Ramsey started last week without participating in practice before elevating to limited participation on Thursday and Friday. He then took the field against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He could be on his way to a similar path this week.
Dowdle was also listed on the injury report last week, but with a toe injury rather than a knee, and Highsmith is a new addition with the limited designation.
Elliott will be the highlight for the Steelers. The team just opened his 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve at roster cuts. The team also released safety Rayshawn Jenkins, signaling an expected debut for Elliott against the Saints.
One more name to watch throughout the week will be Joseph-Day. The impactful interior defender, with edge flex, is a versatile piece to Pittsburgh’s front.
