Tag: A.J. Klein

Watch: Panthers rookie Will Grier throws a pick-6 to A.J. Klein

The Saints are dominating every aspect of this game and lead 21-0 early in the second quarter.

Will Grier is officially on tilt. After taking several vicious shots by late Saints blitzes, he appears to have completely lost his composure. Watch Grier throw a pick-six to former Panthers linebacker A.J. Klein, now playing for New Orleans. That’s just a bad, bad read. Grier has also missed several open receivers by over-throwing them.

The Saints are dominating every aspect of this game and lead 21-0 early in the second quarter.

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Saints rule out Vonn Bell, four others on final Colts injury report

The final injury report for Week 15‘a Monday Night Football game between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts ruled out Vonn Bell.

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The New Orleans Saints are set to faceoff against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football in Week 15. There have been numerous questions surrounding the defense, the offensive line, and tight end Jared Cook. The final injury report has provided clarity on those issues.

On the Colts side of the house, wide receiver T.Y. Hilton will be a game time decision on Monday night.

New Orleans is playing for the first seed, and a first round bye in the NFC. Indianapolis represents the first chance for the Saints to get back on track after a heartbreaker of a loss in Week 14 to the San Francisco 49ers.

Any changes to Friday’s practice status are noted in bold text, and players listed without likelihood of playing on Monday (whether they are Out or Questionable) should be considered ready to go. Here’s what we’ve learned.

From the Saints

  • TE Jared Cook (Concussion), Full
  • OL Will Clapp (Elbow), Full
  • LB A.J. Klein (Knee), Full
  • FB Zach Line (Knee), Full
  • OL Andrus Peat (Arm), Did not participate, OUT
  • OL Terron Armstead (Ankle), Full
  • LB Kiko Alonso (Thigh), Did not participate, OUT
  • DE Cameron Jordan (Abdomen), Full
  • S Vonn Bell (Knee), Did not participate, OUT
  • CB Patrick Robinson (Calf), Did not participate, OUT
  • QB Drew Brees (Right Elbow) Full
  • CB/ST Johnson Bademosi (Foot) OUT

From the Colts

  • WR TY Hilton (Calf), Did not participate, Questionable
  • CB Pierre Desir (Groin), Full, Questionable
  • CB Kenny Moore (Ankle), Did not participate, OUT
  • G/T Le’Raven Clark, Full
  • DT/DE Denico Autry (Rest), Did not participate
  • T Anthony Castonzo (Rest) Did not participate 
  • S Clayton Geathers (Rest) Did not participate 
  • DE Justin Houston (Rest) Did not participate 
  • DE Jabaal Sheard (Rest) Did not participate 

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Drew Brees listed on Saints-Colts injury report, Jared Cook upgraded to full practice

The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts updated their injury report, with Drew Brees and Jared Cook in on full practice participation.

The New Orleans Saints have had a rash of injuries recently, as evidenced by Thursday’s injury report. Ahead of their Week 15 clash with the Indianapolis Colts on “Monday Night Football,” the Saints had one of their longest injury reports of the season.

All eyes will be on the defense, with players such as defensive end Cameron Jordan (limited), safety Vonn Bell (did not participate), and linebacker A.J. Klein (limited) each managing injuries. The health of the offensive line is also a concern; left tackle Terron Armstead and backup guard Will clapp were limited, while left guard Andrus Peat is not practicing yet. Quarterback Drew Brees also appeared on the injury report after taking a hit in the final drive of the Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers. However, he was a full participant. Tight end Jared Cook was also upgraded to full practice participation while returning from last week’s concussion.

Indianapolis is not without their own injury woes. Star wideout T.Y. Hilton has dealt with a calf issue that has seen him miss time since Week 8 of the season. However, he could potentially return to the field against New Orleans in Week 15.

Here’s what we learned on Thursday’s injury report. Because the Saints are playing on Monday instead of the usual Sunday, this week’s injury reports will be issued on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday — so check back often for updates. Changes to each subsequent injury report will be denoted with bold text.

From the Saints

  • TE Jared Cook (Concussion), Full
  • OL Will Clapp (Elbow), Limited
  • LB A.J. Klein (Knee), Limited
  • FB Zach Line (Knee), Limited
  • OL Andrus Peat (Arm), Did not participate
  • OL Terron Armstead (Ankle), Limited
  • LB Kiko Alonso (Thigh), Did not participate
  • DE Cameron Jordan (Abdomen), Limited
  • S Vonn Bell (Knee), Did not participate
  • CB Patrick Robinson (Calf), Did not participate
  • QB Drew Brees (Right Elbow) Full

From the Colts

  • WR TY Hilton (Calf), Limited
  • CB Pierre Desir (Groin), Limited
  • CB Kenny Moore (Ankle), Did not participate
  • G/T Le’Raven Clark NIR

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Terron Armstead ruled questionable to play vs. 49ers on final Saints injury report

The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers published their final injury reports ahead of Week 14’s game in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

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The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers published their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s big noon kickoff, including status updates for several players managing various ailments. Here’s what we learned after each team wrapped up practice on Friday.

For New Orleans, the Saints hope to all-world left tackle Terron Armstead return to the lineup a few weeks removed from a high-ankle sprain. But his practice participation has been limited throughout the week, so he’ll have to test out his ankle during pregame warmups on Sunday before they can reach a final decision. He’s officially listed as questionable to play.

If Armstead can’t go, expect veteran guard Patrick Omameh to again step into the lineup in his place, as he did in last week’s game with the Atlanta Falcons. Undrafted rookie Ethan Greenidge was active for the first time this year but didn’t get on the field thanks to Omameh’s performance in a tough spot. The 49ers boast one of the NFL’s fiercest defensive lines, so it’s anyone’s guess who plays left tackle for most of the day.

Things aren’t trending nearly so favorably on defense, where starting linebackers Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein were each preemptively ruled out after missing practice throughout the week. The Saints signed former starter Manti Te’o on Tuesday and he could be pressed into action on Sunday against one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks, which isn’t ideal.

Special teamers Craig Robertson and Stephone Anthony are theoretically ahead of Te’o on the depth chart, but the Saints coaching staff saw enough out of their 11 combined snaps against the Falcons last week to call him up as soon as possible. Whoever ends up starting next to Demario Davis on Sunday, they need to be ready.

The Saints also lost backup tight end Jason Vander Laan to injured reserve after he suffered a head injury in Thursday’s practice. They recently waived third-year reserve Dan Arnold, so they’ll be short-handed at tight end on Sunday.

From the Saints

  • LB Kiko Alonso (Thigh) DNP, Out
  • OL Andrus Peat (Forearm) DNP, Out
  • LB A.J. Klein (Knee) DNP, Out
  • OL Terron Armstead (Ankle) Limited, Questionable
  • FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited, Out
  • OL Will Clapp (Elbow) DNP, Questionable
  • TE Jason Vander Laan (Head) DNP, Out and on injured reserve
  • CB Patrick Robinson (Calf) DNP, Questionable

From the 49ers

  • WR Dante Pettis (Knee) Limited, Questionable
  • S Jaquiski Tartt (Ribs) DNP, Out
  • DT Julian Taylor (Knee) DNP, Out
  • DE Dee Ford (Quad/Hamstring) Full
  • DT D.J. Jones (Ankle) Full
  • TE George Kittle (Knee/Ankle) Full
  • CB Richard Sherman (Knee) Full
  • T Joe Staley (Finger) Limited, Questionable
  • RB Matt Breida (Ankle) Full
  • WR Deebo Samuel (Shoulder) Full
  • WR Emmanuel Sanders (Ribs) Full
  • DL Arik Armstead (NIR) Full
  • WR Marquise Goodwin (Knee/Foot) Limited, Questionable

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Saints down two starting linebackers on updated Week 14 Saints-49ers injury report

The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers updated the Week 14 injury report, with Saints linebackers Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein resting

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The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers published their second injury report of the week on Thursday ahead of their Week 14 clash. The result of the game could have playoff implications as far as seeding is concerned. Currently the Saints are the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the 49ers sit in the top Wild Card position at No. 5.

A number of key players for New Orleans were designated as not practicing, or participating in a limited capacity on Wednesday’s initial report. Linebackers Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein did not participate on Wednesday while offensive lineman Terron Armstead was limited. None of those statuses changed on Thursday’s injury report, but backup offensive lineman Will Clapp and tight end Jason Vander Laan each turned in a limited practice while managing their own injuries.

The final injury report with game status for certain players will be issued on Friday. Daily changes in practice participation are noted in bold text.

From the Saints

  • LB Kiko Alonso (Thigh) DNP
  • OL Andrus Peat (Forearm) DNP
  • LB A.J. Klein (Knee) DNP
  • OL Terron Armstead (Ankle) Limited
  • FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited
  • OL Will Clapp (Elbow) Limited
  • TE Jason Vander Laan (Head) Limited

From the 49ers

  • WR Dante Pettis (Knee) Limited
  • S Jaquiski Tartt (Ribs) DNP
  • DT Julian Taylor (Knee) DNP
  • DE Dee Ford (Quad/Hamstring) Limited
  • DT D.J. Jones (Ankle) Full
  • TE George Kittle (Knee/Ankle) Limited
  • CB Richard Sherman (Knee) Limited
  • T Joe Staley (Finger) Limited
  • RB Matt Breida (Ankle) Full
  • WR Deebo Samuel (Shoulder) Full
  • WR Emmanuel Sanders (Fibs) Full

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Terron Armstead limited, Kiko Alonso DNP on Wednesday’s Saints injury report

The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers published their first injury report ahead of Week 14, with two Saints linebackers sitting out

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The New Orleans Saints are short-handed on defense this week, as evidenced by the signing of former Saints middle linebacker Manti Te’o on Tuesday. Now that cornerback Marshon Lattimore, kick return specialist Deonte Harris and wide receiver Tre’Qaun Smith are back from various injuries, it appears to be the defense’s turn to catch the injury bug.

Te’o’s return follows the exit of starting linebackers A.J. Klein (knee) and Kiko Alonso (thigh) from Thanksgiving Day’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, each battling separate injuries. Wednesday’s injury report didn’t shed much light on the severity of either situation, with both players sitting out of practice.

Fullback Zach Line will be worth keeping an eye on as the week progresses considering he missed the last two games against the Falcons and Carolina Panthers. His role in the offense is often overlooked, even if he doesn’t handle the football himself frequently.

It’s worth noting that the Saints did not hold a full practice on Wednesday, instead opting for a simple walkthrough to get players back up to speed after their long holiday weekend. So this injury report is an estimation of how much they may have participated had the team run a full-contact practice.

The injury reports published by the Saints and the 49ers on Wednesday are the initial reports for the week. A second, updated report will be released on Thursday. The final injury report with game status for certain players will be issued on Friday. Daily changes in practice participation are noted in bold text.

From the Saints

  • LB Kiko Alonso (Thigh) DNP
  • OL Andrus Peat (Forearm) DNP
  • LB A.J. Klein (Knee) DNP
  • OL Terron Armstead (Ankle) Limited
  • FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited

From the 49ers

  • WR Dante Pettis (Knee) DNP
  • S Jaquiski Tartt (Ribs) DNP
  • DT Julian Taylor (Knee) DNP
  • DE Dee Ford (Quad/Hamstring) Limited
  • DT D.J. Jones (Ankle) Limited
  • TE George Kittle (Knee/Ankle) Limited
  • CB Richard Sherman (Knee) Limited
  • T Joe Staley (Finger) Limited
  • RB Matt Breida (Ankle) Full
  • WR Deebo Samuel (Shoulder) Full
  • WR Emmanuel Sanders (Fibs) Full

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Report: Kiko Alonso ‘day-to-day’ with injury, status in doubt vs. 49ers

New Orleans Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso is reportedly managing a thigh injury on a day-to-day basis, requiring the signing of Manti Te’o.

The New Orleans Saints re-signed linebacker Manti Te’o on Tuesday, following injuries to starters Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein. Te’o started most of the 2017 season for the Saints before improved health in the linebacker corps (and the addition of Demario Davis) sidelined him in 2018, and he’s been a free agent since then.

According to a report from Katherine Terrell of The Athletic, Alonso’s status with a thigh injury isn’t considered a long-term concern. Terrell reported that Alonso is day-to-day at this point and the team isn’t sure whether he will be cleared to play on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. That could change in the next three days after team trainers get the opportunity to administer treatment and reevaluate Alonso’s condition, but in the meantime Te’o gives the Saints an experienced option to add to the depth chart.

Special teamers Craig Robertson and Stephone Anthony were each forced into last week’s game with the Atlanta Falcons after Alonso and Klein went out with injuries; it took a combined 11 snaps from them for the Saints to decide Te’o was needed. Whether Te’o plays on Sunday after being signed on the previous Tuesday is unlikely, but it can’t be ruled out if Alonso misses this 49ers game. Klein’s condition is less clear, and no information is coming out of New Orleans just yet on what’s ailing him. We should learn something when the week’s first injury report is published Wednesday afternoon.

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Saints re-sign veteran linebacker Manti Te’o to free agent contract

The New Orleans Saints brought back veteran linebacker Manti Te’o on Tuesday, who had been a free agent since his contract expired in March.

The New Orleans Saints have re-signed former starting linebacker Manti Te’o on Tuesday, as first reported by Rob DeMello of KHON 2-Honolulu and confirmed by Sean Fazende of FOX 8-New Orleans. Te’o has been a free agent since his Saints contract expired earlier this year, receiving little interest on the open market. He met with the Oakland Raiders back in March but did not sign with the team, instead returning to Hawaii where he continued training in hopes of an NFL return while dabbling in real estate.

So what prompted the Saints to bring Te’o back in early December? Starting linebackers A.J. Klein and Kiko Alonso exited last Thursday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with separate injuries, forcing special teamers Craig Robertson and Stephone Anthony into the lineup. We won’t have anything concrete on Klein or Alonso’s status until Wednesday’s injury report, but Te’o’s addition gives the Saints an experienced player who knows the defensive scheme inside and out.

Te’o led the Saints defense with 15 tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage back in 2017, though he was frequently inactive for much of the 2018 season while New Orleans enjoyed a streak of good health at the position. It’s impossible to guess right now how much Te’o will play moving forward (if at all), but his past success in the same situation has to be reassuring to the Saints and their fans. Expect a corresponding move to Te’o’s re-signing to be reported on the official league transactions wire on Wednesday.

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