Saints rule out Vele, Neal in Injury Report updates

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Saints and New York Jets each published lengthy injury reports for their Week 16 matchup. The Saints are set to be without numerous key offensive players, while the Jets will have to manage without some contributors on both sides of the ball.

Here is the information from Wednesday’s injury report:

New Orleans Saints

Did Not Participate

RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)
RB Devin Neal (hamstring)
T Asim Richards (ankle)
G Cesar Ruiz (ankle0
WR Devaughn Vele (shoulder)

Limited Participation

S Justin Reid (knee)
DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee)

Full Participation

QB Tyler Shough (hip)

The Saints will be short-handed on the offensive skill positions with Neal and Vele already ruled out for the game. While the injury report doesn’t reflect game status yet, head coach Kellen Moore already made the announcement of both decisions following Wednesday’s practice. The list gets longer if Kamara and Ruiz don’t find their way back to practice by Friday. Those will be important to watch.

On the flipside for New Orleans, Shough was a full participant without limitations on Wednesday despite being checked for a hip injury during Sunday’s win over the Carolina Panthers. Defensively, the Saints could also be getting their starting safety, Reid, back on the field against a hampered Jets offense.

While the Saints’ offense may be short-staffed, the defense appears to be trending up.

New York Jets

Did Not Participate

S Tony Adams (groin)
LB Kiko Mauigoa (neck)
TE Mason Taylor (neck)
DL Eric Watts (concussion)

Limited Participation

QB Justin Fields (knee)
QB Tyrod Taylor (groin)

Full Participation

RB Breece Hall (knee)
EDGE Jermaine Johnson II (neck/calf)
OL Josh Myers (ankle)
OL Xavier Newman (knee)
OL Joe Tippmann (ankle)
DL Jay Tufele (shin)

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn also ruled out a few players on Wednesday, including former LSU star tight end Taylor, Adams, Mauigoa and Warrs, all of whom did not practice on Wednesday.

New York will start rookie Brady Cook at quarterback for his second career start. As Fields and Taylor continue to be on the mend, the week of practice will reveal who the Jets’ primary backup signal caller will be for the game.