Saints offense left short-handed with Week 16 inactives

Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Saints and New York Jets have announced their list of inactive players ahead of their Week 16 matchup. The 4-10 Saints will have a hampered offense facing off with the 3-11 Jets.

In addition to those inactive for the game, the Saints will also be without wide receiver Devaughn Vele and running back Devin Neal, both of whom were placed on Injured Reserve during the practice week, ending their seasons with shoulder and hamstring injuries, respectively.

Here is the list of inactive players for Sunday’s game against the Jets:

S Ugo Amadi
CB Rejzohn Wright
RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)
RG Cesar Ruiz (ankle)
T Asim Richards (ankle)
TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee)
DT Khristian Boyd

Kamara, Ruiz and Richards were all already ruled out coming into the game on Friday’s injury report. WIth both Neal and Kamara out, second-year running back Audric Estime will lead the way in the rushing attack with Evan Hull checking in as a change-of-pace option.

With Ruiz and Richards sidelined with ankle injuries, New Orleans will turn to versatile offensive lineman William Sherman at right guard. The Saints’ entire interior offensive line is now staffed by backups.

Good news for New Orleans: safety Justin Reid is back after missing a pair of games with a knee injury suffered against the Miami Dolphins in Week 13. With a rookie quarterback, Brady Cook, leading the way for the Jets, having their veteran safety back in the lineup is a big positive for the Saints.