NEW ORLEANS SAINTS NEWS

Struggling Chargers set to host reeling Saints

The Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints got off to quick starts this season with wins in their first two games

OCTOBER 25 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Cesar Ruiz - Full practice Thursday Ruiz (knee) was a full participant at the Saints' practice Thursday.

Impact Ruiz has missed the last four games with a knee injury, but he now appears to be ready to go for Week 8 against the Chargers. The 25-year-old will likely return to his starting role at right guard with New Orleans.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Cedrick Wilson Jr. - No practice Thursday Wilson (hip) didn't practice Thursday.

Impact After logging a limited session Wednesday due to a hip injury, Wilson didn't mix into drills at all one day later, which is a somewhat worrisome sign in advance of the weekend. Friday's practice could be telling for his odds to suit up Sunday at the Chargers, but if he ends up being available, he'd help to fill the void left behind by Rashid Shaheed, who is out for the season following meniscus surgery.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Juwan Johnson - Another limited practice Johnson (shoulder) was limited in practice Thursday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Impact Johnson is operating with a cap on his practice reps this week, while Taysom Hill (rib) followed up a limited session Wednesday with full participation one day later. As such, Johnson has one more chance this week to get back to all activity or thus risk entering the weekend with a designation for Sunday's game at the Chargers.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Taysom Hill - Logs full practice Thursday Hill (rib) practiced fully Thursday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Impact This marks Hill's first uncapped session since he emerged from Week 4 action with rib fractures, thereby paving the way for him to return to action Sunday at the Chargers. Fellow TE Juwan Johnson (shoulder) has been limited in practice so far this week, so there's a chance Hill could act as the Saints' top option at the position if the former doesn't gain clearance to suit up Week 8.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Olave - Full practice Thursday Olave (concussion) practiced in full Thursday, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Impact Olave sustained a concussion Sunday, Oct. 13 against the Buccaneers and sat out last Thursday's loss versus the Broncos, but he's made quick work this week by following up Wednesday's limited session with all activity one day later. It's unclear if he's made his way through the protocol for head injuries, but he'll need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist in order to return to action Sunday at the Chargers.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Alvin Kamara - Limited again Thursday Kamara (hand/rib) was limited at Thursday's practice, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.

Impact Kamara continues to be plagued by a broken hand and rib fractures, which has resulted in back-to-back capped sessions to begin Week 8 prep. He'll thus have Friday's practice to get back to full participation or otherwise risk heading into the weekend with a designation for Sunday's contest at the Chargers. Assuming he's able to suit up, per usual, Kamara should be good for his usual 20.7 touches per game on the season.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Derek Carr - Idle for Thursday's practice Carr (oblique) didn't participate in practice Thursday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Carr was able to resume throwing earlier this week, but with his left oblique strain continuing to keep him from taking part in practice drills, he's trending toward missing a third straight game Sunday against the Chargers. Rookie Spencer Rattler took reps with the first-team offense Thursday and looks on track to make another start in place of Carr.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Kool-Aid McKinstry - Stepping into larger role McKinstry is slated to handle an expanded role on defense beginning Sunday versus the Chargers, with Paulson Adebo (lower leg) having been placed on IR due to a season-ending broke...

Impact McKinstry, a rookie first-round pick, played 47 and 86 percent of defensive snaps Weeks 1 and 2, but he then transitioned into a depth role on defense until Adebo's injury Week 7. After Adebo went down versus Denver, McKinstry played 30 defensive snaps, his second-highest total of the season. He projects to join Marshon Lattimore as a starter on the perimeter on the road versus Los Angeles on Sunday.

OCTOBER 24 • ROTOWIRE

Chargers vs. Saints Injury Report – Week 8, 2024

See who's in and who's out for the Week 8 matchup between the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints on October 27, 2024.

OCTOBER 24 • DATA SKRIVE

Cody Barton says AFC Defensive Player of the Week honor doesn't ease the sting of his dropped pick-6

Denver linebacker Cody Barton won the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week honor for his monster game in the Broncos' 33-10 rout of the New Orleans Saints last week

OCTOBER 24 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Marshon Lattimore - Full practice Wednesday Lattimore (hamstring) was a full participant at the Saints' practice Wednesday.

Impact Lattimore suffered a hamstring injury against the Broncos on Thursday Night Football in Week 7, but he appears to be ready to go for Week 8. Lattimore will be in his typical role as a starting cornerback against the Chargers on Sunday.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Pete Werner - Limited to open week Werner (hamstring) was a limited participant at the Saints' practice Wednesday.

Impact Werner has missed the team's last three games while nursing a hamstring injury, making his ability to practice Wednesday worth noting. The linebacker will attempt to increase his workload during the rest of the week in order to return to the field Sunday versus the Chargers.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Cedrick Wilson Jr. - Dealing with hip issue Wilson was limited at Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury.

Impact Wilson is on the heels of his top two snap shares of the campaign, notching eight catches (on 10 targets) for 85 yards and one touchdown between Weeks 6 and 7. With Rashid Shaheed out for the rest of the campaign due to meniscus surgery and Chris Olave in the concussion protocol, Wilson has an opportunity to continue being relevant in the Saints offense, but a health concern now puts a potential wrench in that expectation.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Taysom Hill - Remains limited in practice Hill (rib) was a limited practice participant Wednesday.

Impact Hill has been listed as limited on four consecutive injury reports going back to last week, but he's still seeking his first game action since Week 4 in Atlanta. Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau have been handling TE reps in the interim, but Johnson joined Hill as limited on Wednesday's report due to a shoulder injury. As a result, the statuses of both Hill and Johnson will be watched as the weekend approaches.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Juwan Johnson - Limited by shoulder issue Johnson practiced on a limited basis Wednesday due to a shoulder injury.

Impact Johnson previously dealt with a forearm issue during Week 5 prep, but he's been able to suit up in all seven games this season and earn at least a 50 percent snap share in five consecutive contests. He hasn't produced much during those five weeks, accruing a 13-110-0 line in 17 targets, even with Taysom Hill (rib) sidelined for four of them. Both Johnson and Hill had a cap on their practice reps Wednesday, so the statuses of both will need to be monitored as the week goes on.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Spencer Rattler - Logs full practice Wednesday Rattler (hip) practiced fully Wednesday.

Impact Almost a week removed from sustaining a hip pointer last Thursday against the Broncos, Rattler was able to handle a full allotment of practice reps to begin Week 8 prep. It comes on the heels of coach Dennis Allen stating Rattler likely will start Sunday's game at the Chargers with Derek Carr still in recovery mode from an oblique injury, per Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune. Rattler thus should get the nod over fellow QB Jake Haener after the former completed 47 of 75 passes for 415 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, recorded nine carries for 61 yards and fumbled three times (two lost) in his first two career starts.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Alvin Kamara - Limited Wednesday Kamara (hand/rib) was limited at practice Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Kamara told Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune on Wednesday that he's been playing through a broken hand the last two games and still is dealing with the broken ribs that he suffered Week 3 against the Eagles. In four outings since then, he's racked up 74 touches for 273 yards from scrimmage and two rushing TDs, displaying that he remains productive on a week-to-week basis. Kamara will have two more chances to get back to full participation this week or else possibly risk heading into Sunday's contest at the Chargers with a designation.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Olave - Officially limited in return to practice Olave (concussion) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Making his first appearance on the field since suffering a concussion Sunday, Oct. 13 against the Buccaneers, Olave was operating with a cap on his reps, indicating he still has a few hurdles to get past in the protocol for head injuries, including clearance from an independent neurologist. His activity level Thursday and Friday may be telling for his chances to return to action Sunday at the Chargers.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Alvin Kamara - Playing through broken hand Kamara said Wednesday that he played the past two games with a broken hand, Luke Johnson of Nola.com reports.

Impact Kamara still played three-fourths or more of the offensive snaps in non-blowout situations the past few weeks, with the only indication of a problem being his limited participation in practices. He signed a two-year extension with the Saints on Tuesday and thus seems unlikely to be traded even though he's a 29-year-old RB on a team that's lost five straight games.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Spencer Rattler - Likely starting again Sunday Coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that Rattler (hip) likely will be the Saints' starting quarterback Sunday at the Chargers, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Derek Carr, who has been sidelined the last two games due to an oblique injury, took part in throwing sessions Monday and Tuesday, which seemingly were scheduled to determine where he stood in his recovery. As of Wednesday, Allen doesn't believe Carr will be ready for Week 8 action, allowing Rattler to get a third start in a row. Rattler emerged from last Thursday's to the Broncos with a hip pointer, but the issue won't stop him from being available this weekend. In his first two career starts, the rookie fifth-rounder has completed 47 of 75 passes for 415 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions, rushed nine times for 61 yards and fumbled three times (two lost).

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Derek Carr - Unlikely to play Sunday Coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that Carr (oblique) is unlikely to be available Sunday at the Chargers, with Spencer Rattler (hip) expected to be the Saints' starting quarterback...

Impact Carr has missed the last two games due to an oblique injury, but he was able to take part in throwing sessions Monday and Tuesday, which were intended to determine where he stood in his recovery. He appears to have not made enough progress, leaving Rattler and Jake Haener as the options under center Week 8. Rattler is dealing with a hip issue at the moment, but it seems as if he'll be able to gut it out this weekend and lead New Orleans' offense.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Derek Carr - Unlikely to play Sunday Head coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that Carr (oblique) is unlikely to be available Sunday at the Chargers, with Spencer Rattler (hip) expected to make a third straight start at...

Impact Carr has missed the last two games due to an oblique injury, but he was able to take part in throwing sessions Monday and Tuesday, which were intended to determine where he stood in his recovery. He appears to have not made enough progress, leaving Rattler and Jake Haener as the options under center Week 8. Rattler is dealing with a hip issue at the moment, but he looks like he'll be able to play through that injury this weekend.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Chris Olave - Back at practice Wednesday Olave (concussion) was present at practice Wednesday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Assuming he took part in some drills, it'd mark Olave's first visible on-field work since sustaining a concussion Sunday, Oct. 13 against the Buccaneers. The Saints have lost fellow WR Rashid Shaheed for the season due to meniscus surgery, and QB Derek Carr continues to be sidelined with an oblique issue, so getting Olave back will be key for the team's passing game. Wednesday's injury report will reveal how much work Olave was able to handle.

OCTOBER 23 • ROTOWIRE