Willie Gay Jr Highlights Absences at Saints Practice

METAIRIE, La. – The New Orleans Saints were back at practice Monday getting ready for their opening action against the Carolina Panthers. The team is looking like it is on course to have the majority of its starters ready to go, which has been a big storyline to follow over the course of the offseason. However, one absence will cause a bit of a stir if it turns into multiple days.

Here are the Saints’ players that were not seen during the portion of practice open to the media.

LB Willie Gay Jr.

DT Khalen Saunders

LB D’Marco Jackson

LB Jaylan Ford

The big surprise here in the absence of Gay Jr. He has been an electrifying addition to New Orleans’ defense and it cannot stand to lose him early. Head coach Dennis Allen noted that the absence was injury related but did not reveal any details. The injury reports will begin being distributed after Wednesday’s practice. Until then, NFL team’s do not have to surrender much information. 

The hope here should be that Gay Jr. missed for positive personal reasons like defensive end Chase Young earlier this offseason.

Offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri made his return to the field. Media only looked on for the individual portions of practice along with stretch. But the 2023 fourth-round pick looked to be at least limited in his participation. The same can be said for practice squad linebacker Isaiah Stalbird.

Tight end Dallin Holker was present but not participating and running back Kendre Miller, who is on Injured Reserve, observed the practice day.