By Ross Jackson
NEW ORLEANS – On a day headlined by a season-ending injury for do-it-all tight end Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi also detailed some potential returns that could be on the horizon for the team’s offense.
During his day-after media availability on Monday, Rizzi mentioned several players that are either expected to make their returns next weekend or that will be at least making significant progress.
The Saints’ offensive line has not fielded all five of its starters together since Week 3. That could potentially change as New Orleans travels to take on the New York Giants.
“He should be back out there Wednesday,” Rizzi said of starting center Erik McCoy. “We’ll wait and see on Lucas (Patrick) as well. Hopefully, I think he and Lucas are both trending in the right direction.”
Having the entire starting offensive line back together in time to take on the NFL’s No. 29 rushing defense should provide quite the boost for the Saints’ offense in Week 14.
The run game could see another returning piece as well with running back Kendre Miller. As we have reported for weeks here at LouisianaSports.net, the team is bracing to open the 21-day practice window for the second-year running back, Rizzi confirmed. With Hill out for the remainder of the season with an ACL injury and further knee damage, Miller would be a much needed complement to running back Alvin Kamara.
Miller won’t be the only Injured Reserve progress New Orleans should make when the team returns to practice on Wednesday.
Rizzi also said that rookie wide receiver Bub Means could possibly see his practice window open as well. “Bub Means is another guy we hopefully get back this week,” Rizzi said. “We’ll open up his 21-day window, it looks like.”
In addition to these returns on offense, defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon could find his way back to the field against the Giants as well. His practice window opened last week as he works to make his season debut coming off of the Physically Unable to Perform list.
The Saints are unlikely to make a postseason run without a lot of help. But their goal to compete each week remains. These returns could all go a long way in making their ability to do so more formidable.
