Key upgrades on Saints injury report

The second injury report for the New Orleans Saint and Kansas City Chiefs includes both progressing players and a new name added to the list. With the Monday Night Football game between the two, game designations will not be included until Saturday’s injury report, but there are some key changes from Thursday to Friday.

Here is the information from the most recent injury report:

New Orleans Saints:

Did Not Participate:

LB Willie Gay Jr. (Hand)

TE Taysom Hill (Rib)

G Cesar Ruiz (Knee)

OL Lucas Patrick (Groin)

C/G Shane Lemieux (Ankle)

DE Payton Turner (Knee)

Limited Participation:

RB Alvin Kamara (Hip/Ribs)

LB Demario Davis (Hamstring)

T Taliese Fuaga (Back/Knee)

DT Bryan Bresee (Ankle)

Full Participation:

WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Ankle)

WR Chris Olave (Hamstring)

K Blake Grupe (Right Hip)

RB Kendre Miller (Hamstring)

TE Juwan Johnson (Forearm)

Grupe, Miller and Johnson were all upgraded to full after either not participating or being limited in Thursday’s first practice of the week. Those are all key examples of progress for the Saints as they head to Kansas City. Meanwhile, Patrick was a new name on the list with a groin injury. That may have been the trigger for New Orleans to bring in center Connor McGovern from the New York Jets practice squad. McGovern is a solid addition to the active roster who can help hold down the center role while Patrick and Lemieux are out and beyond.

Something to watch: Fuaga has been battling back tightness since training camp. The concern here is that the first-round pick is also now battling a knee injury that limited him on Friday along with the back issues. New Orleans is already without its starting center, right guard, left guard and some key depth along the offensive line. Maintaining their starting left tackle is a must.

Kansas City Chiefs

Did Not Participate:

WR Mecole Hardman (Knee)

Limited Participation:

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Illness)

RB Kareem Hunt (Shoulder)

DE Mike Danna (Calf)

Full Participation:

LB Nick Bolton (Hamstring)

DT Derrick Nnadi (Triceps)

The biggest change for the Chiefs comes down to Hardman, who was downgraded from limited to no participation on Friday with his knee injury. The Chiefs are already without one of their top wideouts in Rashee Rice, who is on Injured Reserve with his own knee injury. Hollywood Brown was lost for the season during training camp. The Chiefs could be down two pass-catching options going into Monday’s matchup. However, expect tight end Travis Kelce and rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy to keep quarterback Patrick Mahomes nice and comfortable with his options.