Saints have effectively full attendance at Thursday’s practice

Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

METAIRIE, La. – While the team was hit with a pair of big injuries last week coming out of their Week 7 matchup with the Chicago Bears, the New Orleans Saints have been very healthy throughout the week as they prepare for their next game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Here is the information from both the Saints and Buccaneers’ practice reports.

New Orleans Saints

Did Not Participate:

DT Davon Godchaux (NIR-rest)

Limited Participation:

WR Chris Olave (ankle)

TE Juwan Johnson (neck)

RB Alvin Kamara (ankle)

Full Participation:

CB Alontae Taylor (NIR-personal matter)

DE Chase Young (illness)

DT John Ridgeway III (shoulder)

After missing Wednesday’s practice, Olave, Taylor and Young were all back and participating. Godchaux, who has been getting rest days on Thursdays for several weeks now, was the only active player not participating.

Johnson and Kamara remained limited, but Johnson was back in a standard jersey after spending Wednesday in a non-contact uniform.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Did Not Participate:

QB Teddy Bridgewater (teeth)

WR Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula)

RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder)

OLB Haason Reddick (ankle/knee)

DT Vita Vea (foot)

Limited Participation:

LB Lavonte David (knee/rib)

WR Emeka Egbuka (hamstring)

DT Greg Gaines (toe)

G Luke Haggard (shoulder)

S Antoine Winfield Jr. (toe)

DB Christian Izien (knee)

Full Participation:

G Ben Bredeson (shoulder)

TE Devin Culp (knee)

G Michael Jordan (knee)

QB Baker Mayfield (knee)

OLB Markees Watts (personal)

CB Zyon McCollum (thumb)

RB Josh Williams (concussion)

Several key players were elevated for the Bucs following their estimated Wednesday report. Mayfield moved up to full participation while important players like rookie receiver Egbuka and veteran linebacker David each moved up to limited.

One downgrade to watch for Tampa will be Vea. The big-bodied defensive tackle could be a big issue for New Orleans, who will be without starting center Erik McCoy for the remainder of the season. Vea would be a tough challenge for new starting center Luke Fortner.