Two more Saints absent from practice Thursday

By Ross Jackson

METAIRIE, La. – Just when the New Orleans Saints were starting to look the healthiest they have in quite some time, they took a possible small step back on Thursday. New Orleans was at its healthiest regarding its active roster as it has been since the first week of the season on Wednesday with only two players not participating. On Thursday, that number looks to have doubled. At least, it looks to have during the open period of practice.

Here is the attendance report from the portion of practice open to the media, per reports:

QB Derek Carr (Oblique)

WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (Hip)

G Nick Saldiveri (Shoulder)

DL Kendal Vickers (Unknown)

Wilson was limited during Wednesday’s practice with a hip injury. It is possible that he was receiving treatment at the time of the open viewing period. However, the Saints have had numerous in-week injuries and downgrades already this season. Another would be far from a surprise at this point. 

But the Saints would love to not have this impact Wilson’s availability this week. The team has already lost Rashid Shaheed for the season, while Chris Olave is recovering from a concussion and their next veteran wide receiver was signed this week.

The Saints are set to get defensive tackle Khalen Saunders back this week as he’s been back at practice for a second day in a row after a late injury sidelined him last week. So they should be able to stomach the blow to the practice squad with Vickers’s absence since there’s enough depth on the active roster.