Saints chart full attendance in Friday’s practice

By Ross Jackson

METAIRIE, La. – It was a full house for the New Orleans Saints on Friday as they wrapped up preparations for their divisional matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 12.

The team fielded its entire healthy roster plus offensive lineman Barry Wesley who is still on Injured Reserve but saw his 21-day practice window ahead of the team’s Week 10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

As the injury report is released later in the afternoon, the most important name to watch for the Saints will be right tackle Taliese Fuaga. He missed the Week 10 matchup in Carolina due to a high ankle injury. He was limited at Thursday’s practice, and the Saints have tended to play these situations with caution. 

However, Fuaga could be a pivotal piece to the team’s success on offense.

It’s likely that wide receiver Brandin Cooks’ name will also still be listed on the injury report. He will be released, but per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, contractual nuances have held up the process for a short stint. The expectation remains, however, for him to be made available as soon as those hurdles are removed.