By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints announced a slew of moves before they take on the rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. One of the moves, as reported earlier Saturday, includes wide receiver Chris Olave being placed on Injured Reserve. The expectation is that his season is done.
Unlike other weeks where these roster moves are focused on active roster and practice squad availability, the Saints also made another notable change.
Here are the moves announced by the team Saturday afternoon:
- Wideout Chris Olave is being placed on Injured Reserve.
- Running back Alvin Kamara has been named team captain for the remainder of the season.
- Wide receivers Kevin Austin Jr. and Dante Pettis are added to the active roster as standard game day elevations for Sunday’s game.
- Safety Will Harris Jr and offensive lineman Shane Lemieux are back from Injured Reserve. Both are available Sunday.
- Center Erik McCoy and Linebacker Nephi Sewell have been ruled out.
That’s a busy Saturday for New Orleans.
The elevations of Austin Jr. and Pettis are imperative with Olave and fellow wide receivers Rashid Sahheed and Cedrick Wilson Jr. not available. Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi said that Pettis had a strong week of practice in particular. The team held an open tryout among the rostered wideouts to take on the roles as the Saints are without each of their top three options and rookie wideout Bub Means.
Harris Jr. and Lemieux could be very helpful for New Orleans. The safety rotation will be interesting to watch. The team has three versatile pieces that could play all over the defensive backfield. McCoy and Sewell will have to wait at least one more week before they make their return to the field. McCoy could be back earlier than his expected timeline of Week 13.
Adding Kamara as a captain is a nice move by New Orleans. The running back has been a vocal leader for the roster and has been an honest and accountable presence for years. He deserves to wear a captains’ “C” on his jersey for the remainder of his time in New Orleans.
