Two Saints starting OL absent Tuesday

By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS — After their bye week, the New Orleans Saints return to practice still without a portion of their offensive line. The team typically practices Wednesday through Friday on standard game weeks, however this week interim head coach Darren Rizzi moved the first two days up so that the players and staff could have Thanksgiving off on Thursday.

Here is the attendance from the portion of Saints practice open to the media on Tuesday:

Not seen: 

G Lucas Patrick

C Erik McCoy

Side work:

RB Kendre Miller

Returning:

WR Cedrick Wilson Jr.

DL Tanoh Kpassagnon

The biggest story here is the absence of McCoy, the team’s starting center. He returned against the Cleveland Browns last week after undergoing surgery for a groin injury. During the game he exited with another groin injury and did not return. Rizzi did say the following Monday that the injury was not expected to be a long-term issue. However did not specify if the short-term concern might still cause an absence or two. 

McCoy’s name will be one to watch once official injury reports are released beginning Wednesday.

Kpassagnon is another big name on the list, but for a positive reason this week. The versatile lineman has been working hard to get back on the field after suffering an achilles injury this offseason. This return to practice would open his 21-day practice window. During which he can return to the active roster any time. 

Miller was working off to the side as practice was going on. He will be eligible to return from his second Injured Reserve stint after this weekend’s game against the Rams.

Even though the Saints moved their Wednesday and Thursday practices up, the NFL still does not require injury reports until Wednesday. Therefore will likely not be an injury report shared by the team on Tuesday.