By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. — Getting back out to the practice field today, some concerning circumstances are forming for the health of the New Orleans Saints’ cornerback room. The Carolina Panthers may not have the most threatening passing offense, ranking No. 25 in the league. Obviously any injuries at cornerback could make for a challenging situation. But if there’s any week for the team to get healthy at the position and not rush its players back, this might be the last shot.
Here is the attendance from the portion of Thursday’s practice that was open to the media, per reports:
Not Seen:
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Hamstring)
WR Bub Means (Ankle)
CB Marshon Lattimore (Hamstring)
RB Kendre Miller (Hamstring)
CB Rico Payton (Back)
DT John Ridgeway III (Unknown)
Returned:
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Hip)
S Tyrann Mathieu (Illness)
DL Kendal Vickers
The hamstring injuries are taking a toll on the Saints’ roster this week with three players not spotted during the portion of practice open to the media. With starting cornerback Paulson Adebo already out for the season with a broken femur, Lattimore, McKinstry and Payton further complicate the area for New Orleans. As of now, the only healthy cornerbacks on the team’s active roster are slot cornerbacks Alontae Taylor and Ugo Amadi who is listed as a safety.
This will be a big story to watch leading up to the weekend. The Saints’ defense gave up over 100 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown catches to rookie wideout Ladd McConkey last week. This week, rookie wideout Xavier Leggette awaits in Carolina. He has not had a breakout game just yet with only 211 yards receiving so far this season. The Saints would like to keep it that way.
Miller may again be trending toward missing time with his hamstring issue. It’s been a recurring situation with the second-year running back who injured the opposite hamstring than the one that sidelined him through training camp and to start the year.
To help with Miller’s outlook, the Saints brought back both running backs Jordan Mims and Jacob Kibodi to the practice squad.
The Saints will release their injury report later in the afternoon, which will include more information including participation designations.
