Four Saints starters return to practice

By Ross Jackson

METAIRIE, La. – An injection of healthy players is exactly what the doctor has been calling for when it comes to the New Orleans Saints, and they are finally starting to get it. As the team returned the practice field to open up their Week 8 preparation for their game at the Los Angeles Chargers, several key players returned to the field after being limited or not participating in last week’s short week.

Here is the attendance for the portion of Saints practice that was open to the media:

Not Seen:

QB Derek Carr (Oblique)

OL Nick Saldiveri (Shoulder)

Returned:

WR Chris Olave

LB Pete Werner

DL Khalen Saunders

OL Cesar Ruiz

The Saints also had both tight end Taysom Hill and offensive lineman Lucas Patrick back to start the week as well. Both players were limited last week, so it’s good news to see them back out on the field and participating Wednesday.

The expectation remains that if Carr isn’t able to make his return this week that the team will start rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler for the third consecutive week. Having a healthier offensive line in front of him should help to improve his play, as pressure has created his biggest struggles so far in his young career.

That will be good news too for Carr’s eventual return in the coming weeks. The Saints’ interior offensive line has been decimated with injuries and New Orleans would love to see its protection unit back to full force with center Erik McCoy expected back by the team’s Week 13 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams at the latest.

Along with the offensive line, the Saints have taken some big hits at wide receiver as well. Wideout Rashid Shaheed is done for the season after a meniscus surgery and receiver Chris Olave has missed the last two games while in concussion protocol. Olave looks to be making progress back to the field this week.

The Saints also welcomed several additions to the roster after a busy couple of days. Here are those new faces and their jersey numbers, all of which were in attendance on Wednesday:

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling – No. 10

S Roderic Teamer – No. 30

OL Sincere Haynesworth – No. 63

The Saints and Charges will release their injury report in the afternoon, which will highlight the participation levels for each player. Keep an eye here on LouisianaSports.Net for that story.