NEW ORLEANS SAINTS NEWS

Chargers' turnaround on defense has mostly gone under the radar

While quarterback Justin Herbert and coach Jim Harbaugh command most of the attention on the Los Angeles Chargers, coordinator Jesse Minter’s turnaround of the defense has gone und...

OCTOBER 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Saints' precipitous slide is taking them back to the bad ole days

The same New Orleans Saints team that looked so promising during the NFL season’s first two weeks is now looking historically bad

OCTOBER 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bub Means - Will miss time Means suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Chargers, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Means was amid an increased role with Rashid Shaheed (knee) out of action, but the rookie receiver will now join him on the sidelines. It's unclear how much time the Pittsburgh product will miss, but he's likely looking at a multi-week absence. Cedrick Wilson (hip) and recent acquisition, Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be likely beneficiaries in whatever time Means misses.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Bub Means - Will miss time Means suffered a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's loss to the Chargers, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Means was amid an increased role with Rashid Shaheed (knee) out of action, but the rookie receiver will now join him on the sidelines. It's unclear how much time the Pittsburgh product will miss, but he's likely looking at a multi-week absence. Cedrick Wilson (hip) and recent acquisition, Marquez Valdes-Scantling will be likely beneficiaries in whatever time Means misses.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Juwan Johnson - Cleared after being evaluated Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Monday that Johnson (head) is fully cleared after having been evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's loss to the Chargers, Ross Jackson of W...

Impact Johnson was evaluated late during New Orleans' loss to Los Angeles in Week 8, but he's good to go for Sunday's road matchup against Carolina. Prior to being forced out versus the Chargers, Johnson had secured three of four targets for 48 yards. With quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) trending in the right direction to return Week 9, Johnson and the Saints' passing game as a whole could be positioned to benefit from a notable boost.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Juwan Johnson - Cleared after being evaluated Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Monday that Johnson (head) is fully cleared after having been evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's loss to the Chargers, Ross Jackson of W...

Impact Johnson was evaluated late during New Orleans' loss to Los Angeles in Week 8, but he's good to go for Sunday's road matchup against Carolina. Prior to being forced out versus the Chargers, Johnson had secured three of four targets for 48 yards. With quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) trending in the right direction to return Week 9, Johnson and the Saints' passing game as a whole could be positioned to benefit from a notable boost.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Derek Carr - Expected to return Week 9 Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Monday he expects Carr (oblique) to return to the starting lineup for Sunday's divisional contest against the Panthers, Ross Jackson of WWL Loui...

Impact Carr has missed three straight games due to a left oblique injury, but Allen said he logged another throwing session Monday and expressed optimism about his chances of retaking the field Week 9. Allen also said he expects Carr to be on the practice field Wednesday. Spencer Rattler has been ineffective across his three consecutive appearances, culminating in his having been pulled early from New Orleans' 26-8 loss to the Chargers in Week 8, in favor of Jake Haener finishing out the contest. Getting Carr back under center would promise a notable boost for the Saints' offense.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Derek Carr - Expected to return Week 9 Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Monday he expects Carr (oblique) to return to the starting lineup for Sunday's divisional contest against the Panthers, Ross Jackson of WWL Loui...

Impact Carr has missed three straight games due to a left oblique injury, but Allen said he logged another throwing session Monday and expressed optimism about his chances of retaking the field Week 9. Allen also said he expects Carr to be on the practice field Wednesday. Spencer Rattler has been ineffective across his three consecutive appearances, culminating in his having been pulled early from New Orleans' 26-8 loss to the Chargers in Week 8, in favor of Jake Haener finishing out the contest. Getting Carr back under center would promise a notable boost for the Saints' offense.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

NFL Week 8 highlights: Packers, Commanders get walk-off wins; 49ers hold off Cowboys

Week 8 of the NFL season continued on Sunday. Here are the top plays of the day from start to finish.

OCTOBER 28

Bills are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and what else we learned in Week 8

FOX Sports' NFL experts pinpoint what we learned about each team from Sunday's games and what that means going forward.

OCTOBER 28

Blake Grupe - Misses FG attempt Week 8 Grupe went 2-for-3 on field-goal attempts during Sunday's 26-8 loss against the Chargers.

Impact Grupe missed a field goal for the first time this season, pushing a 44-yard attempt wide right during the fourth quarter. The second-year kicker still made field-goal tries of 40 and 43 yards, and he's now gone 13-for-14 on FGAs while making all but two of his 20 PATs through eight games. Grupe will look to make all of his tries during next week's game at Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Blake Grupe - Misses FG attempt Week 8 Grupe went 2-for-3 on field-goal attempts during Sunday's 26-8 loss against the Chargers.

Impact Grupe missed a field goal for the first time this season, pushing a 44-yard attempt wide right during the fourth quarter. The second-year kicker still made field-goal tries of 40 and 43 yards, and he's now gone 13-for-14 on FGAs while making all but two of his 20 PATs through eight games. Grupe will look to make all of his tries during next week's game at Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Taysom Hill - Logs six touches Week 8 Hill gathered in two of four targets for 21 yards to go along with four rushes for 20 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss against the Chargers. He also completed his lone passing attem...

Impact Hill logged a season-high in targets during his first game back from a rib injury suffered Week 4. In his three games this season, the 34-year-old was the Saints' No. 2 rushing option behind Alvin Kamara. It looks like he took on a bigger role in the passing game Sunday, as he tied for third on the team in targets behind Chris Olave (14) and Kamara (11). Hill's non-traditional role makes his production rather hard to predict, but his value as a rusher in the red zone combined with the team's lack of weapons should provide him some notable scoring chances when he's healthy. He'll look to make an impact as both a rusher and receiver during next week's game versus Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Taysom Hill - Logs six touches Week 8 Hill gathered in two of four targets for 21 yards to go along with four rushes for 20 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss against the Chargers. He also completed his lone passing attem...

Impact Hill logged a season high in targets during his first game back from a rib injury suffered Week 4. In his first three games this season, the 34-year-old was the Saints' No. 2 rushing option behind Alvin Kamara. It looks like he took on a bigger role in the passing game Sunday, as he tied for third on the team in targets behind Chris Olave (14) and Kamara (11). Hill's non-traditional role makes his production rather hard to predict, but his value as a rusher in the red zone combined with the team's lack of weapons should provide him some notable scoring chances when he's healthy. He'll look to make an impact as both a rusher and receiver during next week's game versus Carolina on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Jake Haener - Steps in during during second half Haener completed 9 of 17 passes for 122 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss versus the Chargers.

Impact Haener took over after rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched with the Saints down 16-5 midway through the third quarter. The second-year signal-caller has been the No. 2 quarterback while usual starter Derek Carr (oblique) has been sidelined for the past three weeks. But, he's now taken over during the second half of back-to-back losses for New Orleans, completing 12 of 21 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown. Haener hasn't brought much more efficiency than Rattler, and there's no reason to imagine that either will have much success given the current state of New Orleans' offense. Though this may not ultimately matter since Carr is expected to be back for next week's game versus the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Jake Haener - Steps in during during second half Haener completed 9 of 17 passes for 122 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss versus the Chargers.

Impact Haener took over after rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched with the Saints down 16-5 midway through the third quarter. The second-year signal-caller has been the No. 2 quarterback while usual starter Derek Carr (oblique) has been sidelined for the past three weeks, but he's now taken over during the second half of back-to-back losses for New Orleans, completing 12 of 21 passes for 160 yards and one touchdown. Haener hasn't brought much more efficiency than Rattler, and there's no reason to imagine that either will have much success given the current state of New Orleans' offense. However, this may not ultimately matter since Carr is expected to be back for next week's game versus the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Spencer Rattler - Pulled early in loss Rattler was 12-for-24 passing for 156 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss against the Chargers.

Impact Rattler remained ineffective during his third consecutive start in place of injured QB1 Derek Carr (oblique). The rookie signal-caller's longest completion was a screen pass that running back Alvin Kamara took 37 yards in the second quarter. Rattler was eventually benched when the Saints were down 16-5 midway through the third quarter, leaving Jake Haener to finish out the game under center. Carr is expected to be back for next week's game versus Charlotte. Even if the Saints' QB1 is not available, it seems like Rattler still may have lost his job as the temporary starter to Haener moving forward.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Spencer Rattler - Pulled early in loss Rattler was 12-for-24 passing for 156 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss against the Chargers.

Impact Rattler remained ineffective during his third consecutive start in place of injured QB1 Derek Carr (oblique). The rookie signal-caller's longest completion was a screen pass that running back Alvin Kamara took 37 yards in the second quarter. Rattler was eventually benched when the Saints were down 16-5 midway through the third quarter, leaving Jake Haener to finish out the game under center. Carr is expected to be back for next week's game versus Charlotte. Even if the Saints' QB1 is not available, it seems like Rattler still may have lost his job as the temporary starter to Haener moving forward.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Olave - Logs 107 yards in return Olave had eight receptions (on 14 targets) for 107 yards during Sunday's 26-8 defeat to the Chargers.

Impact Olave eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the first time this season. He also logged a season-high in targets and matched his season-high for receptions. This all in a game in which Olave temporarily exited for a concussion check and rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched for second-year signal-caller Jake Haener midway through the third quarter. With No. 2 wideout Rashid Shaheed now out for the season with a meniscus injury, it's likely that Olave could continue to see an increase in targets moving forward. He'll hope to have another productive outing with QB1 Derek Carr (oblique) expected to return for next week's game versus the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Olave - Logs 107 yards in return Olave had eight receptions (on 14 targets) for 107 yards during Sunday's 26-8 defeat to the Chargers.

Impact Olave eclipsed 100 receiving yards for the first time this season. He also logged a season high in targets and matched his season high for receptions. This all took place in a game during which Olave temporarily exited for a concussion check and rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched for second-year signal-caller Jake Haener midway through the third quarter. With No. 2 wideout Rashid Shaheed now out for the season with a meniscus injury, Olave could continue to see an increase in targets moving forward. He'll hope to have another productive outing with QB1 Derek Carr (oblique) expected to return for next week's game versus the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Alvin Kamara - Shows some burst in loss Kamara posted 10 carries for 67 yards and gathered in six of 11 targets for 55 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Chargers.

Impact Kamara added a spark to this listless Saints offense Week 8. The 29-year-old is still working his dealing with a broken hand suffered Week 5 and broken ribs suffered Week 3, but neither appeared to affect him as he logged three explosive plays Sunday. This included a team-long 37-yard reception on a screen pass and a 24-yard carry on which he fought through multiple defenders. Kamara still logged his second-fewest carries of any game this season, and he's now averaged 10.3 rushing attempts and 8.5 targets per game over the last four weeks. While his workload has taken a slight dip recently, Kamara should still play a significant role during next week's game versus the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Alvin Kamara - Shows some burst in loss Kamara posted 10 carries for 67 yards and gathered in six of 11 targets for 55 yards during Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Chargers.

Impact Kamara added a spark to the listless Saints offense Week 8. The 29-year-old is still working his way back after dealing with a broken hand suffered Week 5 and broken ribs suffered Week 3, but neither appeared to affect him as he logged three explosive plays Sunday. This included a team-long 37-yard reception on a screen pass and a 24-yard carry on which he fought through multiple defenders. Kamara still logged his second-fewest carries of any game this season, and he's now averaged 10.3 rushing attempts and 8.5 targets per game over the last four weeks. While his workload has taken a slight dip recently, Kamara should still play a significant role during next week's game versus the Panthers on Sunday, Nov. 3.

OCTOBER 28 • ROTOWIRE

Juwan Johnson - Evaluated for head injury Johnson was evaluated for a head injury late in Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Chargers, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Impact The results of Johnson's evaluation weren't immediately available. If a concussion is revealed, Johnson would need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to play in Week 9 against the Panthers. He had three catches for 48 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Juwan Johnson - Evaluated for head injury Johnson was evaluated for a head injury late in Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Chargers, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Impact The results of Johnson's evaluation weren't immediately available. If a concussion is revealed, Johnson would need to clear the NFL's five-step concussion protocol in order to play in Week 9 against the Panthers. He had three catches for 48 yards on four targets in Sunday's loss.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Bub Means - Hurts ankle in Week 8 loss Coach Dennis Allen said after Sunday's 26-8 loss to the Chargers that Means sustained an ankle injury during the game, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Impact Means' injury occurred late in the game, but he contributed only one catch for 36 yards on his only target prior to exiting. The rookie's role diminished significantly with Chris Olave (concussion) back in the fold. Means' practice participation will be worth monitoring when the Saints begin practicing Wednesday ahead of a Week 9 trip to Carolina.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE