Saints injury list grows entering final week vs. Falcons

By Ross Jackson

It’s as long an injury list as we’ve seen for the New Orleans Saints as the team prepares for its final game of the season. The good news is that it was a lighter walkthrough day for the Saints on Wednesday, however, the list still doesn’t look great. New Orleans will be hoping for improvements going into Thursday’s practice.

Here is the information from the first injury report of the final regular season week. 

New Orleans Saints

Did Not Participate

DT Bryan Bresee (knee)

CB Michael Davis (shoulder)

RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)

TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (ankle)

WR Chris Olave (illness)

G Dillon Radunz (knee)

QB Spencer Rattler (right finger)

DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee)

TE Jack Stoll (knee)

WR Mason Tipton (groin)

Limited Participation

LB Demario Davis (calf)

G Cesar Ruiz (ankle)

Full Participation

QB Tyler Shough (hip)

With 10 players not participating in practice, it’s easy to see the cause for concern. But it may be that, with the aforementioned lighter work of the day, New Orleans saw an opportunity to use precaution to start the week when it came to some players navigating injury.

The good news for New Orleans is two-fold, however. Right guard Cesar Ruiz was back and available for the team, making the absence of Radunz a bit more palatable. Meanwhile, the Saints also have their top wide receiver no longer listed with a back injury, an ailment that has progressed well, per head coach Kellen Moore. 

Moore said the back injury for Olave has progressed well, also. https://t.co/iOxOgvsEc8

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) December 31, 2025

Ideally, the team gets some of its long list of non-participants back in Thursday’s practice.

Atlanta Falcons

Did Not Participation

DL Brandon Dorlus (hamstring)

CB Mike Hughes (ankle)

CB Clark Phillips III (triceps/illness)

Limited Participation

S DeMarrco Hellams (hamstring)

WR Drake London (knee)

TE Kyle Pitts Sr. (knee)

DL Sam Roberts (knee/ankle)

The Falcons also held a walkthrough on Wednesday after competing (and winning) just two nights before on Monday Night Football. Thursday’s injury report will be more informative for Atlanta as well, especially when it comes to star players like London and Pitts.