By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints may be without three corners and a pair of running backs as they take on the Carolina Panthers this weekend. That should prompt a busy Saturday of pregame transactions as New Orleans will only be able to elevate two practice squad members. Meaning some changes are likely to be made on the active roster as well.
Head coach Dennis Allen said that Injured Reserve is an option for one or some of the players that are out this week. Wide Receiver Bub Means could be one to keep an eye on for that move. When Allen updated his status earlier this week, he mentioned that the wideout has a “time missed injury.” Indicating that the ailment is no short-term thing.
Here is the information from the Saints’ injury report, including game designations.
New Orleans Saints
Out:
CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Hamstring)
WR Bub Means (Ankle)
CB Marshon Lattimore (Hamstring)
RB Kendre Miller (Hamstring)
Doubtful:
RB Jamaal Williams (Groin)
Questionable:
CB Rico Payton (Back)
LB Nephi Sewell (Designated To Return From IR – Knee)
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Hip)
G Nick Saldiveri (Shoulder)
G Shane Lemieux (Designated To Return From IR – Knee)
DT John Ridgeway III (Oblique)
No Designation (Good To Go):
QB Derek Carr (Oblique)
S Tyrann Mathieu (Illness)
RB Alvin Kamara (Hand/Rib)
TE Juwan Johnson (Shoulder)
With the potential for three corners to be out on Sunday, the Saints will definitely have to move a pair of practice squad cornerbacks to their active roster. If they do so as standard game day elevations, that would take up the maximum amount of such moves. Meaning they would then have to tinker with their active roster to fill in other holes.
That is likely to be the case considering the Saints could be without running backs Miller and Williams. Miller is ruled out already while WIlliams is listed as doubtful. New Orleans added two running backs, Jordan Mims and Jacob Kibodi, to their practice squad earlier in the week. Both could end up having to be called upon if Miller and WIlliams are out to help manage the run game alongside running back Alvin Kamara and do-it-all player Taysom Hill.
Carolina Panthers
Out:
T Ikem Ekwonu (Ankle)
TE Feleipe Franks (Concussion)
S Jammie Robinson (Knee)
Doubtful:
WR Adam Thielen (Hamstring)
DT Jaden Crumedy (Ankle)
S Jordan Fuller (Hamstring)
Questionable:
OLB DJ Johnson (Ankle)
TE Tommy Tremble (Back)
RB Jonathan Brookes (Knee)
OLD DJ Wonnum (Quadriceps)
WR Xavier Leggette (Toe)
No Game Designation (Good To Go):
OLB Jadaveon Clowney (NIR-Rest)
LB Josey Jewell (NIR-Rest)
DE A’Shawn Robinson (NIR- Rest)
QB Andy Dalton (Right Thumb)
T Josh Yijman (Knee)
T Taylor Moton (NIR-Rest)
The Panthers look ready to debut their new running back, Jonathan Brooks who they selected in the second-round of this year’s draft. He and fellow back Chubba Hubbard will be the biggest tandem of threats against the Saints’ run defense which has struggled of late.
Another rookie, wideout Xavier Leggette, could be the best help the Panthers will have available to quarterback Bryce Young. Young will start this week after being benched weeks ago. Dalton and his family were in a car accident that injured his right thumb. Thankfully there were no other serious injuries reported.
It looks like Dalton should be good to go as a backup this week. But Young will get the start and Leggette will be his best weapon in the passing game. With several cornerbacks sidelined for the Saints, this will be a key matchup in managing this game and keeping the Panthers from finding a rhythm.
