The Green Bay Packers won’t have backup safety Vernon Scott and might not have All-Pro edge rusher Za’Darius Smith for the season opener on Sunday, but the New Orleans Saints have their own set of injury issues entering Week 1.
Scott (hamstring) was ruled out on Friday’s injury report, while Smith (back) and Tyler Lancaster (back) were both listed as questionable. Coach Matt LaFleur said Smith would get the rest of the week to prepare his body to play even after missing Friday’s practice.
If Smith can’t go, the Packers would lean heavily on Preston Smith and Rashan Gary at edge rusher.
The Saints will be without two listed starters on Sunday. Cornerback Ken Crawley and receiver Tre’Quan Smith were both ruled out with hamstring injuries, and New Orleans lacks depth at both positions. The news wasn’t all bad for Sean Payton’s team, however. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore and offensive tackle Terron Armstead did not receive injury designations and were removed from the injury report.
The Saints could start veteran Desmond Trufant or rookie Paulson Adebo in place of Crawley. Some mix of Deonte Harris, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Chris Hogan and former Packer Ty Montgomery would be in position for snaps at receiver.
Like Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari, Saints receiver Michael Thomas is on the PUP list and won’t play.
The Packers and Saints are scheduled for kickoff at 3:25 p.m. CT on Sunday. Any adjustments to the injury report would be made Saturday, when the teams travel to Jacksonville.
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