Key Saints return ahead of Cowboys game

Going into Week 2, the New Orleans Saints saw a few key players make their return to the field either after leaving Sunday’s game early or missing practices last week. A good sign for the team as they head into an important matchup against the Dallas Cowboys this weekend. While some players did make their way back, the Saints were without two integral parts of their secondary.

Here is the attendance report from the portion of Wednesday’s practice that was open to the media:

Not Seen:

CB Marshon Lattimore

DT Khalen Saunders

LB D’Marco Jackson

OL Lucas Patrick

Seen But Not Participating:

S Tyrann Mathieu

Returned To The Field:

WR A.T. Perry

LB Jaylan Ford

TE Dallin Holker

Newly Added:

CB Shemar Jean-Charles

The returns of Perry, Ford and Holker are welcome news for the Saints. Their wide receiver rotation will benefit from having Perry back, though the expectation should remain that wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed will dominate the position as they did last week. But Perry’s frame in the red zone and deep threat ability attacking the middle of the field are welcome assets. 

Holker and Ford, the two rookies, now look on track to make their potential regular season debut. Both positions, tight end and linebacker, can use some help with tight end Foster Moreau expected to be in concussion protocol this week and linebacker Khaleke Hudson signed off the practice squad by the Cleveland Browns.

Moreau was present and participating during the practice. His status will be updated in the afternoon injury report set to be released later.

The concern from today’s practice comes from the absence of Lattimore and the non-participation of Mathieu. Mathieu was seen as the media entered the practice facility, but he would soon leave and not participate in the drills that were observed. Lattimore and Mathieu will be important to watch over the week. The Saints’ secondary will face a test this weekend against Cowboys receivers CeeDee Lamb and Brandin Cooks. Having their full complement of players in the secondary would be of major benefit.