By Ross Jackson
In what may be looked at nationally as one of the more inconsequential games this weekend, the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers have a lot invested in their Week 9 matchup.
For Carolina, this is a chance to get another look at their young passer and show some growth against their first repeat opponent of the season. This game serves as an important measuring stick for the organization in evaluating their offseason decisions.
In New Orleans, this game is all about not losing. A win won’t convince anyone that the Saints are back to reclaim their Week 1 and 2 excitement. However avoiding a loss is pivotal as the team looks to avoid their first seven-game losing streak since 1999.
Here are five things to know going into this game to help set the table for what feels like a must-win game for New Orleans.
1.Derek Carr makes his return as the Saints’ starting quarterback
After being sidelined for three games with an oblique injury, Carr is back. And right on time. The veteran quarterback had a blazing start to the season that began to cool off as injuries piled up and defenses adjusted well to the Saints’ game plan.
Carr and the Saints offense are looking to rebound against a defense they hung 47 points and 379 total yards on to open the season. Carr will need the support of a near-fully healthy offensive line and a strong run game in order to reprise their success.
2. The Panthers are putting quarterback Bryce Young back under center
Much like the Saints, the Panthers will have a returning starter this week. But for different reasons. Young, the team’s second-year, first-overall draft selection, was benched earlier this season after his 2023 struggles continued to kickoff 2024. The team switched to veteran Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback.
On Oct. 22, Dalton and his family were involved in a car accident in Charlotte which resulted in a right thumb injury which sidelined Dalton for last weekend’s game against the Denver Broncos and is set to do so again this Sunday. However, Dalton was a full participant in practice this week, so if Young struggles again, (he threw a pair of interceptions last week) the lead may be short and Dalton could be called upon.
3. New Orleans may be without four of their top five cornerbacks
The Saints are set to be short handed at cornerback this week. With starting cornerback Paulson Adebo already on Injured Reserve with a broken femur, New Orleans will also be down star corner Marshon Lattimore and rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry. Undrafted rookie Rico Payton is questionable and could be ruled out by game time as well, he did not practice all week. If Payton plays, it shows a ton of trust in his abilities as a rookie taking snaps with no practice week.
It’s likely that the Saints will be without all four cornerbacks. That leaves just slot corner Alontae Taylor as the lone corner on the active roster. Safety Ugo Amadi often mans the slot when needed as well. Look for practice squad defensive backs Shemar Jean-Charles, who had an impressive preseason, and Tre Herndon to likely be called up as elevations or added to the active roster.
4. Carolina recently traded away its leading wide receiver
As the trade deadline approaches, teams have been cutting deals. The Panthers were in that number trading their leading receiver Diontae Johnson to the Baltimore Ravens. Carolina will now be relying on rookie wideout Xavier Leggette (questionable with a toe injury) to lead the way in their passing game.
5. New Orleans is also managing injuries at running back.
The Saints may also need to get crafty with their Saturday transactions to handle not only their cornerback situation but also injuries at running back.
Second-year running back Kendre Miller has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, veteran back Jamaal Williams is doubtful with a groin injury. Backs Jordan Mims and Jacob Kibodi may also need to be added from the practice squad. Otherwise the run game will funnel through starting back Alvin Kamara and do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill.
There’s potential that a player or two ruled out due to injury this week could end up on Injured Reserve.
Lagniappe:
LouisianaSports.net has been told that wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling is expected to make his Saints debut on Sunday. The wideout was signed last week, but was not active against the Los Angeles Chargers. The plan is for him to get things rolling for the first time in black and gold this weekend.
Per Next Gen Stats, Valdes-Scantling has the highest target percentage on throws 20+ yards downfield among 122 receivers who have received at least 100 such targets since 2018. That will be of value as New Orleans wants to keep its downfield threat alive while star receiver Rashid Shaheed is out for the remainder of the season following meniscus surgery. Shaheed was No. 4 on that same list.
