Without practice on Wednesday, the New Orleans Saints released an estimated injury report along with the Las Vegas Raiders. But as the teams returned to the practice field on Thursday, the outlook for Sunday’s matchup between the team clubs is getting clearer.
One immediate piece of big news for New Orleans is apparent: one of the Saints’ best feel-good stories of the season continues to progress in the right direction with wide receiver Chris Olave returning to full participation.
Here is the information from Thursday’s injury report:
New Orleans Saints
Did Not Participate:
QB Derek Carr (Left Hand)
RB Alvin Kamara (Groin)
LG Lucas Patrick (Knee)
C Erik McCoy (Elbow)
Limited Participation:
WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Chest)
TE Juwan Johnson (Foot)
DT Nathan Shepherd (Eye)
DE Payton Turner (Ankle)
Full Participant:
WR Chris Olave (Head)
What a turnaround for Olave. His future was in question at one point, at least for the season. Now, there’s a real chance he could get back out on the field before the year wraps up. With two games remaining, it’s a tight timeline. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said on Thursday that part of getting Olave back out on the field is just as much about his conditioning having missed several weeks as it is about the head injury.
But even if he doesn’t make it back to the field in 2024, this is all excellent news for Olave for 2025 and beyond.
Carr and Kamara will be two to watch as the week progresses. Both are trying to make a return this season, as well. Rizzi said Thursday that rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler will again start in Carr’s place if he isn’t able to get back on the field.
McCoy and Patrick are expected to miss the rest of the season. Not seeing them on Thursday isn’t very surprising, but it certainly disappointing for a unit that has not been able to stay healthy this year.
The bad news here is an omitted name. Wide receiver Bub Means is not listed, indicating that he is likely headed back to Injured Reserve, where his rookie season will end. The wideout was trying to make it back from an ankle injury and suffered a setback in the process. That setback looks to have cost him a chance to return.
Las Vegas Raiders
Did Not Participate:
G Jordan Meredith (Ankle)
RB Dylan Laube (illness)
Limited Participation:
LB Kana’i Muaga (Calf)
G Jackson Powers-Johnson (Quadricep/Ankle)
Full Participation:
K’Lavon Chaisson (Foot)
The Raiders look like they will have the majority of their starters ready to go, but some shuffling may happen on the interior of their offensive line with Meredith and Powers-Johnson listed with injury. Meredith has been the team’s starter at left guard while Powers-Johnson holds down center, but the latter may have to shift over if Meredith is out, leading to a new starting center as well for the team.
Chaisson is looking to prove he deserves a long-term deal with his new team. With star edge rusher Maxx Crosby out for the year, he has a real chance to show what he can do. The Saints allowed a 52.6% pressure rate last week against the Green Bay Packers, who were one of the worst pressure defenses in the league.
