Saints’ offense remains short-handed in season’s final practice

Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints didn’t see much movement at all in their Friday practice attendance, signaling several key pieces will be out in the season finale at the Atlanta Falcons.

Here are the players not seen by reporters present for the open portion of Saints practice:

WR Chris Olave (illness)
WR Mason Tipton (groin)
RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)
CB Michael Davis (shoulder)
TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (ankle)
TE Jack Stoll (knee)
DT Bryan Bresee (knee)
DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee)

Throughout the week, New Orleans did get two of their offensive linemen back in guards Cesar Ruiz and Dillon Radunz. Defensive tackle Davon Godchaux also returned after his scheduled Thursday rest day. Otherwise, the same eight players have been out all throughout the week.

Olave underwent a procedure on Thursday to deal with a blood clot that was discovered in his lung. He is not expected to take the field on Sunday and to have about a month of recovery ahead of him. No long-term issues are expected. With him out and Tipton not having practiced this week, Kevin Austin Jr. and Dante Pettis are the only two healthy wideouts on the active roster.

Expect some roster moves to be made in addition to the weekend’s elevations in order to help counteract the short-handed nature of the team’s pass-catching core.

The team may need to look at practice squad options on the interior of the offensive line as well, with Shepherd appearing to be on track to miss this weekend’s action. That’s not a favorable situation for a team about to take on Falcons running back Bijan Roinson.