Jameis Winston joins team drills and more key takeaways from Saints’ Aug. 22 practice

Saints QB Jameis Winston took team drill snaps today, marking a big milestone in his return to action. Key takeaways from Monday’s practice, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

As the New Orleans Saints returned to their home facility Monday on Airline Drive, they also returned to familiar ways. The defense again dominated the day. Star players like defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson and linebacker Demario Davis made plays and barked loudly and consistently at the offense throughout practice. The intensity of the day was driven by that unit. Here are our key takeaways from Monday’s practice, including those highlight defensive moments, but a very important step forward for the offense by quarterback Jameis Winston.

Jameis Winston progresses and key takeaways from the Saints Superdome practice

Michael Thomas was out with an injury, but Jameis Winston took a big step forward during the Saints’ open practice in the Superdome, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

Funny how much a change of venue shifts the feeling of a training camp practice. What otherwise would have been a lighter day for the New Orleans Saints as they return home following their preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers, felt monumental in front of 30,000 claimed tickets. Attendance became the early highlight of the day, but as the two-hour event rolled along more and more caught our attention. Here are our takeaways from the Saints’ open practice in the Caesars Superdome.

Dennis Allen: Michael Thomas missed final training camp practice with hamstring injury

Dennis Allen says Michael Thomas missed the final Saints training camp practice with a new injury, describing it as a “little bit of a hamstring”

There’s been a hiccup in Michael Thomas’s journey back from an injury that’s cost him most of two seasons, with New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen saying Sunday evening that the All-Pro wide receiver missed the team’s final training camp practice with what he described as “a little bit of a hamstring.”

When this new injury occurred isn’t clear — Thomas participated fully in two joint practices with the Green Bay Packers last week, but sat out of their Friday night preseason game alongside a small crowd of other veteran players. Sunday’s session in the Caesars Superdome was the final practice of Saints training camp.

Thomas has been recovering from an ankle injury, but it isn’t immediately clear if this issue is affecting the same leg. Whether or not that’s the case, hamstring injuries can linger, and it’s wise of the team to play it safe with someone expected to shoulder a heavy load this season. It’s been an impressive camp for Thomas so far. He was our pick as the team’s best player of the summer, rapidly improving until this setback. Hopefully he can return sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, the Saints have seen their investments pay off with maybe the strongest receiving corps in recent memory: those behind Thomas on the depth chart include roster locks like Jarvis Landry, Chris Olave, and Deonte Harty and good players on the roster bubble such as Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, Kirk Merritt, and Kevin White. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see other teams poach Kawaan Baker, Dai’Jean Dixon, and Rashid Shaheed should they hit the waiver wire, either.

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Offense coming back to life: 10 takeaways from Saints-Packers practice on Aug. 17

Chris Olave, Lucas Krull, and the Saints offense looked to get back into rhythm during the second day of joint practices with the Packers. 10 takeaways, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

The defenses of the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers will continue to be the topic of major conversation when it comes to the joint practices across the street from Lambeau Field. However, on Wednesday, while both offenses struggled for the majority of practice, some of the stars and big names found ways to show out. Here are our key takeaways from Wednesday’s joint practice with the Packers:

Saints defense bounces back and more takeaways from Day 14 of training camp

Tyrann Mathieu and the Saints defense bounced back in training camp Day 14, via @RossJacksonNOLA

After a day dominated by the New Orleans Saints offense, Demario Davis and the defense responded very well on Thursday. This was the team’s final practice before their first preseason matchup on Saturday in Houston. As they prepared for the Texans, and by extension the NFL regular season, New Orleans proved it still has the talent to be a wining team led by a strong defense. Here are our observations from Day 14 at Saints training camp.

Michael Thomas dominates again in Day 13 of Saints training camp

Michael Thomas produces more highlights in Day 13 of Saints training camp and more important takeaways, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

The goal for New Orleans Saints training camp Day 13 was to watch some of the guys that will get real opportunities in this weekend’s Houston Texans matchup. But it’s hard to do that when a superstar just keeps making big plays. In front of the fans and in full pads, Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas dazzled yet again. Here are some of his highlights and more key observations from today’s practice:

Andy Dalton leads the way with Jameis Winston out during Day 12 of Saints camp

With Jameis Winston out, Andy Dalton led the way for Saints camp Day 12, here are our takeaways, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

Back to shorts, shells, and indoor facilities for Day 12 of New Orleans Saints camp. It was a little bit of a different feel in the building today with quarterback Jameis Winston sidelined with an injury. Andy Dalton jumped in to take those first team snaps while backup Ian Book saw a larger share of reps himself. Despite Winston not being a part of today’s workload, there were tons of things to take away from the practice session. Here are our key takeaways from today.

Jameis Winston leaves Saints camp early and more Day 11 Saints camp takeaways

Jameis Winston’s injury headlines our Day 11 Saints camp takeaways, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

With the New Orleans Saints and Houston Texans preseason game at the end of the week, anticipation was high coming into Day 11 of Saints camp, another padded practice. While there were some positive moments throughout, they will be overshadowed by the big news around starting quarterback Jameis Winston. Winston left practice early and head coach Dennis Allen provided what he could as an update. That’s where we start our takeaways and practice notes from the first day of training camp Week 3.

Major progress for Michael Thomas, Tyrann Mathieu in our Day 10 Saints camp takeaways

It was a busy day at Saints camp Day 10 with Michael Thomas and Tyrann Mathieu participating in team drills. Get caught up with our Saturday takeaways, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

The New Orleans Saints have wrapped up their 10th day week two of New Orleans Saints training camp is in the books throughout the last two weeks we’ve been treated to highlight moments roster moves and even surprise retirement. As the 10th day of camp wrapped up it was easy to see that the story of the day would be centered around the progress of two star players and the continued success of two standout defenders. Here are our key takeaways from day 10 of saints camp:

Michael Thomas looks good and 5 more takeaways from Saints training camp

Michael Thomas and Tyrann Mathieu take sizable steps forward in their progress and more practice notes from Saints camp Day 9, via @RossJacksonNOLA:

Since the first day of New Orleans Saints training camp, wide receiver Michael Thomas has been the center of attention. After a little bit of a respite from the spotlight with the return of safety Tyrann Mathieu, the trend continues. Thomas took a sizable step forward in today’s camp, as did Mathieu, in front of hometown fans. Here are our key takeaways from the Saints’ ninth practice day: