Fuaga Among Thursday Saints Absenses

The offensive line play will be pivotal for the New Orleans Saints in their Week 2 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Unfortunately, things are not off to a great start healthwise up front for the Saints’ offense. The team was without starting left tackle Taliese Fuaga for Thursday’s portion of practice open to the media. The rookie’s status is big story to watch ahead of the release of the team’s injury report later today.

Here are the attendance notes for the portion of practice open to the media:

Not Seen:

CB Marshon Lattimore (Hip/Hamstring)

DT Khalen Saunders (Calf)

LB D’Marco Jackson (Calf)

LT Taliese Fuaga (Back)

Returned To Practice:

S Tyrann Mathieu (Heel)

OL Lucas Patrick (Toe)

Players that have been on the injury report in the recent past and made their returns were still on the field today including wide receiver A.T. Perry (Hand), tight ends Foster Moreau (Head) and Dallin Holker (Ankle), and linebackers Willie Gay Jr. (Back) and Jaylan Ford (Hamstring). 

What could help the offensive line against Dallas, if Fuaga ends up being unavailable (game designations will be presented in Friday’s injury report) is that Patrick was back and that offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri has also remained on the field the last couple of weeks.

Getting Mathieu back is a great sign as Lattimore, expectedly, remained out for the second practice day in a row. That is what we expected as the Saints are likely to approach his hamstring injury with an abundance of caution since he could conceivably take the field for the team this weekend without practicing.

More information will be made available in this afternoon’s injury report release.