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The New Orleans Saints have been practicing in pads and helmets for two weeks, so on Friday they raised the tempo with their first full-contact session in an organized scrimmage. But they weren’t at full strength, with a number of starters and role players sitting out. The full list, per reporters on the scene:
- DE Marcus Davenport
- FS Malcolm Jenkins
- LB Zack Baun
- LB Anthony Chickillo
- OL Andrus Peat
- OL Cesar Ruiz
- OL Ryan Ramczyk
- RB Alvin Kamara
- RB Ty Montgomery
You’ll notice that includes three of the five starting offensive linemen, as well as Kamara, the team’s second-best pass target, and each of their top two rookie draft picks.
Some of those players are managing injuries; Saints coach Sean Payton said that Ruiz and Jenkins are expected to return to action soon, while Kamara missed time earlier this week with a stomach virus. Montgomery was rattled on a hit in Thursday’s practice but was able to finish the session. Baun exited practice back on Monday, having pulled up after chasing down Taysom Hill. Ramczyk has been getting a lot of veteran’s rest during camp after undergoing a knee scope early in the offseason.
So this probably isn’t a lot to worry about. None of these injury situations appear to be serious, and the Saints still have more than two weeks to go until their season opener. Many of these players are known quantities, so it makes sense to spare them from unnecessary hits in a full-contact practice session. But the Saints are notorious when it comes to keeping medical details close to their vest, so stay tuned for updates.
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