active roster – Syndication Server

C.J. Gardner-Johnson ‘close’ to playing against Dallas, per Dan Campbell

Campbell also noted it’s a “good problem to have” with Gardner-Johnson returning and Ifeatu Melifonwu playing great lately in that position

After winning two games in a row in impressive fashion and sewing up the NFC North division title, the Detroit Lions could be getting even better for the playoff push. Safety and emotional spark plug C.J. Gardner-Johnson could be back in the lineup for the Week 17 matchup with the Cowboys in Dallas on Saturday night.

Gardner-Johnson has been out since tearing a pectoral muscle in Week 2. The veteran has been designated to return and was at practice last week, but wasn’t quite ready for action. Head coach Dan Campbell was more optimistic about “Ceedy Duce” being ready for Saturday’s big game.

“C.J.’s close. He’s close,” Campbell told 97.1 The Ticket in his weekly interview. “We’ve got to decide what we’re going to do there and just how close is ‘close.’”

As for what happens to Ifeatu Melifonwu when Gardner-Johnson returns? It’s a great problem to have, according to Campbell. Melifonwu has been fantastic in the last two games, racking up 14 tackles, three sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble after having 50 tackles and one-half of a sack over his first 30 games with the Lions.

“We’re going to have a good problem to have when ‘Ducey’ comes back here. It just brings another playmaker to the mix,” Campbell said.

Editor’s note: Gardner-Johnson said he has legally changed his name to Ceedy Duce, but the Lions and the NFL officially still list him with his old name. Until the team makes the change, we are obligated to refer to the player by the name officially listed.

8 Saints listed as limited on initial Week 12 injury report vs. 49ers

8 Saints were listed as limited participants on the initial Week 12 injury report vs. 49ers, via @DillySanders:

Here’s a look at the initial New Orleans Saints injury report ahead of Week 12’s game with the San Francisco 49ers. The Saints listed three players as non-participants due to injury on Wednesday, but eight others were able to work on a limited basis. That’s a big improvement over what we’ve seen in recent months, with as many as seven or eight players inactive altogether. Here’s to more positive progress.

Two players who aren’t listed on the injury report but who did practice on Wednesday are left tackle Trevor Penning and cornerback Bradley Roby — both of whom are on injured reserve, but whose 21-day practice windows have been opened, which starts the process of returning them to the active roster. We’ll look out for updates on this front in the days ahead.

We’re still waiting on word from the 49ers, whose West Coast practice wraps up later this afternoon. For now, here’s what we learned from Wednesday’s injury report:

Ryan Ramczyk, Josh Andrews upgraded on Week 11 Saints injury report vs. Rams

Ryan Ramczyk, Josh Andrews upgraded on Week 11 Saints injury report vs. Rams but a small crowd still isn’t practicing:

Here’s the updated New Orleans Saints injury report ahead of their Week 11 game with the Los Angeles Rams, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, but there isn’t much good news. The Saints upgraded two of their offensive linemen to limited participation after right tackle Ryan Ramczyk and center Josh Andrews were both inactive earlier this week due to an illness.

But a small crowd of Saints starters and key backups are still not practicing due to injuries, including defensive ends Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, linebacker Pete Werner, left guard Andrus Peat, and left tackle James Hurst.

We’re still waiting on word from Rams practice out on the West Coast, but we know starting quarterback Matthew Stafford returned to work this week while navigating the league’s concussion protocol. In the meantime, here’s what we learned from the Saints:

13 players listed on initial Week 11 Saints injury report vs Rams

13 players listed on initial Week 11 Saints injury report vs Rams, including 4 of their 5 starting offensive linemen, via @DillySanders:

The initial Week 11 New Orleans Saints injury report is here, and it’s a lot to take in. A staggering 13 players are listed on Wednesday’s first report as having been absent or limited in practice due to injuries and illnesses. We’ll get a better idea of the Los Angeles Rams’ participation on Wednesday after they wrap up practice on the West Coast. For now, here’s what we know:

Jarvis Landry up, 5 others ruled out on final Week 10 Saints injury report vs. Steelers

Let’s start with the good news. The New Orleans Saints didn’t list slot receiver Jarvis Landry with any game status this week, meaning he’ll play in Week 10’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers despite having been limited in practice due to an ankle injury.

Now the bad news. The Saints ruled out five players due to injuries with four others questionable to play. Two of those who are questionable are new additions in defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon and safety P.J. Williams, both dealing with illnesses. Neither of them practiced on Friday after participating fully earlier in the week.

Here’s the full Week 10 Saints injury report:

Juwan Johnson (hamstring) added to updated Week 8 Saints injury report vs. Raiders

Juwan Johnson (hamstring) added to updated Week 8 Saints injury report vs. Raiders:

That’s ominous. The updated New Orleans Saints injury report dropped after Thursday’s practice session, identical to the previous injury report on Wednesday but for one addition: tight end Juwan Johnson, who was limited with a hamstring injury. Hopefully it isn’t a serious issue for Johnson, who has played more snaps on offense than anyone outside the offensive line, coming off his two touchdown receptions in last week’s loss.

The Saints will need everyone available to line up against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 8, so stay tuned for final word on Friday’s injury report. Here is the latest ahead of that Sunday kickoff (we’ll update with the Raiders injury report once it’s published Thursday evening):

Marshon Lattimore still not at practice on initial Week 8 Saints injury report vs Raiders

Marshon Lattimore and more stars are still not at practice on initial Week 8 New Orleans Saints injury report vs. Las Vegas Raiders, via @DillySanders:

The initial injury report for the New Orleans Saints for Week 8’s matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders is interesting, but still not ideal.

Defensive end Payton Turner and quarterback Jameis Winston have gone back to being listed as full participants. Turner should be a great return for the Saints defensive line that has been lackluster. Winston is back to being healthy enough, but Dennis Allen has made it known that he still won’t start ahead of Andy Dalton.

However, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, wide receiver Michael Thomas, slot receiver Jarvis Landry and tight end Adam Trautman were still absent from Wednesday’s practice with injuries. The full injury report will be updated throughout the week, but here’s what we know:

4 Saints players questionable, 5 ruled out on final injury report vs. Cardinals

Saints are again without several key pieces, including Andrus Peat and Marshon Lattimore, check out the final injury report heading into Thursday night’s game against the Cardinals; via @DillySanders

The hobbled New Orleans Saints are going to be without several key pieces yet again when they take on the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night after a short week. Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Adam Trautman, Andrus Peat, and Marshon Lattimore have all been completely ruled out of the game.

Arizona is missing some players, too. Star wide receiver Marquise Brown, linebacker Dennis Gardeck, center Rodney Hudson, left guard Justin Pugh, and running back Darrel Williams have all been preemptively ruled out for Week 7’s prime-time game.

Here’s the full injury report following Wednesday’s practices:

Marshon Lattimore, Michael Thomas out on final Week 6 Saints injury report vs. Bengals

Marshon Lattimore, Michael Thomas out on final Week 6 New Orleans Saints injury report vs. Cincinnati Bengals, via @DillySanders:

The New Orleans Saints are officially going to be without Marshon Lattimore, Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, Deonte Harty and Payton Turner in their Week 6 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The good news is that Chris Olave and Ryan Ramczyk were upgraded to full participants. Olave was listed as questionable, but seems to be on pace to play.

The news was a lot better for the Bengals, as they had everyone at least participate in practice. Left tackle Jonah Williams and wide receiver Tee Higgins seem to be trending towards playing against the Saints.

Here is the full final Week 6 injury report for Saints vs. Bengals:

Chris Olave returns to practice on updated Week 6 Saints injury report vs Bengals

Chris Olave returns to practice on updated Week 6 New Orleans Saints injury report vs Cincinnati Bengals; via @DillySanders

The New Orleans Saints saw the return to practice of Chris Olave on the updated injury report for the Week 6 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A much-needed sight, as Jarvis Landry and Michael Thomas both continue to be absent. Marshon Lattimore also has another day with a missed practice.

The only change from the Bengals was that La’el Collins had a limited practice today after resting on Wednesday. The other tackle, Jonah Williams, was still out with a knee injury. Tee Higgins hasn’t practiced this week, he’s important to keep note of with the Saints secondary being injured right now.

Here is the full up-to-date Week 6 injury report for Saints vs. Bengals: