Saints rule Olave, Shaheed out for Thursday Night Football

The final injury report for the New Orleans Saints and Denver Broncos is out and the Saints have ruled out four key contributors with two listed as doubtful. The doubtful tag is hard to beat before gametime, so those players, including quarterback Derek Carr, are certainly expected to miss Thursday night’s game as well. In order to even be considered to play, the team must elevate them to questionable first before gametime. 

Here is the info from Wednesday’s final injury report:

New Orleans Saints

Out:

WR Chris Olave (Concussion)

LB Pete Werner (Hamstring)

WR Rashid Shaheed (Knee)

G Cesar Ruiz (Knee)

Doubtful:

QB Derek Carr (Oblique)

TE Taysom Hill (Rib)

Questionable:

DT Khalen Saunders (Back)

C/G Lucas Patrick (Chest)

No Designation (Good To Go):

CB Alontae Taylor (Shoulder)

WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Ankle)

RB Alvin Kamara (Hand)

S J.T. Gray (Calf)

DT Nathan Shepherd (Groin)

DE Payton Turner (Knee)

LB Willie Gay (Hand)

WR Bub Means (Hand)

S Tyrann Matheiu (Forearm)

DE Carl Granderson (Neck)

The Saints will, as expected, be without their top two wide receivers. It will be a youth movement on offense for them instead with Means and fellow rookie wide receiver Mason Tipton stepping up beside veteran wideout Cedrick Wilson Jr. Expect tight ends Foster Moreau and Juwan Johnson to be heavily involved in the passing game as well. 

The Shaheed loss is going to potentially grow in concern depending on the meniscus surgery he is expected to undergo soon in Los Angeles. If all checks out well, he will still miss time. But if things are more complicated, he could be out for an undetermined amount. The Saints are going to be looking for a new playmaker to step up in his stead. Of the Saints nine receiving touchdowns, Shaheed has contributed three.

Another in-week injury may end up sidelining Saunders. But the team would love to have him on the field after surrendering 277 rushing yards to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

Denver Broncos

Out:

CB Pat Surtain II (Concussion)

T Alex Palczewski (Ankle)

Questionable:

CB Damarri Mathis (Ankle)

LB Baron Browning (IR-Designated To Return)

T Mike McGlinchey (IR-Designated To Return)

No Designations (Good To Go):

ILB Justin Strnad (Ribs)

CB Riley Moss (Hip)

CB Ja’Quan McMillian (Ankle)

The Broncos will be without their top cover corner, which would typically be an advantage for the opposing offense. But with Olave and Shaheed out, it’s hard to quantify exactly what the impact will be. It will, though, give the Saints young receivers the chance to avoid one of the NFL’s top talents. Ideally both Surtain and Olave are back next week and well as they work their way through concussion protocol.