Tag: andrus peat

Saints left tackle Terron Armstead tests positive for COVID-19, out vs. Broncos

The New Orleans Saints will be without left tackle Terron Armstead against the Denver Broncos after he tested positive for COVID-19.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”ZynbLwrjyG-1050835-7498″]

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the New Orleans Saints will be without All-Pro left tackle Terron Armstead in Sunday’s game with the Denver Broncos after he tested positive for COVID-19. The Athletic’s Katherine Terrell added that the Saints have begun contact tracing to identify whether any other players or staff members’ game status is in jeopardy.

It’s a huge loss for the New Orleans offensive line, which was already missing Pro Bowl left guard Andrus Peat due to a concussion. Armstead has battled through injuries throughout his career to earn second-team All-Pro status in 2018 and Pro Bowl nods in both 2018 and 2019, and he has performed like one of the team’s best players this season. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.

With Armstead and Peat both out of the lineup, here’s what the Saints’ starting five offensive linemen may look like against the Broncos:

  • Left tackle: James Hurst
  • Left guard: Nick Easton
  • Center: Erik McCoy
  • Right guard: Cesar Ruiz (rookie)
  • Right tackle: Ryan Ramczyk

[vertical-gallery id=40707]

Saints rule out LG Andrus Peat (concussion) vs. Falcons

The New Orleans Saints ruled out left guard Andrus Peat with a concussion during Week 11’s game with the Atlanta Falcons.

[sendtonews_embed video_id=”uT6I6VkEaE-1044127-7498″]

The New Orleans Saints announced that left guard Andrus Peat will not return to Week 11’s game with the Atlanta Falcons after entering NFL concussion protocol. It’s at least the second brain injury reported for him after he suffered a concussion in 2018.

Veteran backup Nick Easton filled in for him at left guard while rookie draft pick Cesar Ruiz remained at right guard. Easton himself missed a few weeks after he was concussed in a game earlier this season. The good news is that he’s played left guard extensively in relief of Peat this year already, logging 121 snaps there while lining up at right guard on 173 plays going into Sunday’s matchup.

Several Saints players have dealt with concussions recently, including Easton; tight end Josh Hill was ruled out for this Falcons game while remaining in league protocol after exiting last week’s contest with a brain injury. Wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith also stepped out with a concussion, though he was able to return. These injuries are always different and there’s no way of knowing when the Saints will have all hands back on deck.

[listicle id=40540]

Saints rule out G Nick Easton with a concussion vs. Chargers

The New Orleans Saints announced that guard Nick Easton will not return to their game against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a concussion.

A rough situation just got more difficult. The New Orleans Saints announced that guard Nick Easton will not return to Monday night’s game with the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering a concussion in the first quarter. The report from the team came moments after the Chargers took a 20-3 lead midway through the second quarter.

Easton had started the game at right guard with Andrus Peat back at left guard, which was how they opened the season back in Week 1. That put rookie first round pick Cesar Ruiz on the bench, but he filled in for Easton after he stepped out. Ruiz and Easton had played very well together when Peat missed time with an ankle injury, but they’re suddenly short-handed.

If the Saints need another backup to go into the game, they’ll probably be calling on veteran reserve James Hurst. Hurst was activated after joining the Saints last week (which followed a four-week suspension for a PED violation from his time with the Baltimore Ravens) and he has experience at both left tackle and left guard.

[vertical-gallery id=38860]

NFL Next Gen Stats: Saints O-Line one of the most-balanced, most-effective units

The New Orleans Saints offensive line has been graded among the best by ESPN using NFL Next Gen Stats despite suffering a series of injuries

[jwplayer zMxClk8J-ThvAeFxT]

A chart from ESPN analyst Brian Burke using NFL Next Gen Stats data proves what a lot of New Orleans Saints fans know: the Saints offensive line is one of the best in the league. ESPN’s stats for pass block win rate and run block win rate grade New Orleans highly, making them one of just a few teams to exceed in both areas of the game.

Some units are effective in one area or the other. A lot of NFL teams field bad offensive lines week in and week out. Despite suffering a series of injuries and absences — left guard Andrus Peat is questionable to return from an ankle injury, and right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is expected to bounce back from a Week 4 concussion — the Saints have joined the Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and New England Patriots in the top tier.

But we’ve also seen firsthand how perilous this situation can be. The Saints offense was shut down when Ramczyk was replaced by backup Ethan Greenidge in Week 4’s win over the Detroit Lions, resulting in a few scoreless drives late that helped Detroit cut into the Saints’ lead. And Peat hasn’t played as well as his backup Nick Easton when healthy. Both Easton and rookie right guard Cesar Ruiz ranked top-10 in ESPN’s pass block win rate stat going into Week 5 (as did second-year center Erik McCoy, graded best in the NFL), but Peat didn’t qualify.

That could happen as soon as in Monday night’s game with the Los Angeles Chargers, who have fielded one of the three worst offensive lines per Burke’s chart. And they’re missing starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga and right guard Trai Turner.

[vertical-gallery id=38860]

Saints vs. Chargers injury report: Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport questionable

The New Orleans Saints had starters like Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport, and Marshon Lattimore on the Los Angeles Chargers injury report.

[jwplayer jUeU82zQ-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers published their final injury reports ahead of Week 5’s kickoff on “Monday Night Football,” and the black and gold could be returning several injured starters after a week of practice.

Wide receiver Michael Thomas, defensive end Marcus Davenport, tight end Jared Cook, guard Andrus Peat, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore are all questionable to play after being limited in practice. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is also questionable after landing on Saturday’s injury report with a thumb issue.

Three Saints players ruled out because of injuries include cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Justin Hardee, plus wide receiver/returns specialist Deonte Harris. The Chargers also ruled out starting offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga and Trai Turner, as well as quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

The full breakdown:

From the Saints

Player, injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
TE Jared Cook, groin Limited Limited Limited Questionable
DE Marcus Davenport, toe Limited Limited Limited Questionable
CB Justin Hardee, hamstring DNP DNP Out
WR Deonte Harris, hamstring DNP DNP Out
DE Trey Hendrickson, groin Limited Limited Limited
CB Janoris Jenkins, shoulder DNP DNP Out
S Malcolm Jenkins, knee Limited Limited Limited
CB Marshon Lattimore, hamstring Limited Limited Limited Questionable
G Andrus Peat, ankle Limited Limited Limited Questionable
T Ryan Ramczyk, concussion Limited Limited Full
WR Michael Thomas, ankle Limited Limited Limited Questionable
DT Sheldon Rankins, thumb DNP Questionable

From the Chargers

Player, injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
S Nasir Adderley, shoulder Full Full Full
DE Joey Bosa, triceps/knee DNP Limited Limited Questionable
T Brayn Bulaga, back DNP DNP DNP Out
RB Austin Ekeler, hamstring DNP DNP DNP
C/G Dan Feeney, elbow Full Full Full
S Rayshawn Jenkins, groin Full Full Full
LS Cole Mazza, ankle Full Full Full
LB Kenneth Murray Jr., ankle Full Full Full
T Storm Norton, knee Full Full Full
QB Tyron Taylor, ribs/chest Limited Limited Limited Out
DT Jerry Tillery, ankle Full Full Full
G Trai Turner, groin DNP DNP DNP Out
WR Mike Williams, hamstring DNP Limited Limited Questionable
G Ryan Groy, hip Limited

[vertical-gallery id=38794]

NFL Week 5: Saints-Chargers injury report update

The New Orleans Saints had starters like Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport, and Marshon Lattimore on the Los Angeles Chargers injury report.

[jwplayer jUeU82zQ-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers reported few changes on their Friday injury reports, with no changes listed for the Saints players and their participation in practice.

That means multiple starters are still on the mend for New Orleans. On offense, the group includes wide receiver Michael Thomas, tight end Jared Cook, tackle Ryan Ramczyk, and guard Andrus Peat on offense; on defense, defensive ends Marcus Davenport and Trey Hendrickson, safety Malcolm Jenkins, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were all limited again on Friday. Starting cornerback Janoris Jenkins did not practice again, as did special teamers Justin Hardee and Deonte Harris.

A couple of Chargers did report changed status, though: defensive end Joey Bosa and wide receiver Mike Williams were both upgraded to limited participation after they rested on Thursday.

The full breakdown:

From the Saints

Player, injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
TE Jared Cook, groin Limited Limited
DE Marcus Davenport, toe Limited Limited
CB Justin Hardee, hamstring DNP DNP
WR Deonte Harris, hamstring DNP DNP
DE Trey Hendrickson, groin Limited Limited
CB Janoris Jenkins, shoulder DNP DNP
S Malcolm Jenkins, knee Limited Limited
CB Marshon Lattimore, hamstring Limited Limited
G Andrus Peat, ankle Limited Limited
T Ryan Ramczyk, concussion Limited Limited
WR Michael Thomas, ankle Limited Limited

From the Chargers

Player, injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
S Nasir Adderley, shoulder Full Full
DE Joey Bosa, triceps/knee DNP Limited
T Brayn Bulaga, back DNP DNP
RB Austin Ekeler, hamstring DNP DNP
C/G Dan Feeney, elbow Full Full
S Rayshawn Jenkins, groin Full Full
LS Cole Mazza, ankle Full Full
LB Kenneth Murray Jr., ankle Full Full
T Storm Norton, knee Full Full
QB Tyron Taylor, ribs/chest Limited Limited
DT Jerry Tillery, ankle Full Full
G Trai Turner, groin DNP DNP
WR Mike Williams, hamstring DNP Limited

[vertical-gallery id=38794]

NFL Week 5: Saints-Chargers injury report highlights Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport

The New Orleans Saints had starters like Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport, and Marshon Lattimore on the Los Angeles Chargers injury report.

[jwplayer jUeU82zQ-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints listed multiple starters including wide receiver Michael Thomas, defensive end Marcus Davenport, and cornerback Marshon Lattimore as limited on the injury report ahead of Monday’s upcoming game with the Los Angeles Chargers. Tight end Jared Cook and offensive linemen Andrus Peat and Ryan Ramczyk were also limited, as was defensive end Trey Hendrickson.

Three other players did not participate at all in Thursday’s practice session: cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Justin Hardee, and wide receiver Deonte Harris. Lengthy as all that is, the Chargers had even more injuries reported on their own list, which we’ve embedded below:

From the Saints

Player, injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
TE Jared Cook, groin Limited
DE Marcus Davenport, toe Limited
CB Justin Hardee, hamstring DNP
WR Deonte Harris, hamstring DNP
DE Trey Hendrickson, groin Limited
CB Janoris Jenkins, shoulder DNP
S Malcolm Jenkins, knee Limited
CB Marshon Lattimore, hamstring Limited
G Andrus Peat, ankle Limited
T Ryan Ramczyk, concussion Limited
WR Michael Thomas, ankle Limited

From the Chargers

Player, injury Thursday Friday Saturday Game status
S Nasir Adderley, shoulder Full
DE Joey Bosa, triceps/knee DNP
T Brayn Bulaga, back DNP
RB Austin Ekeler, hamstring DNP
C/G Dan Feeney, elbow Full
S Rayshawn Jenkins, groin Full
LS Cole Mazza, ankle Full
LB Kenneth Murray Jr., ankle Full
T Storm Norton, knee Full
QB Tyron Taylor, ribs/chest Limited
DT Jerry Tillery, ankle Full
G Trai Turner, groin DNP
WR Mike Williams, hamstring DNP

[vertical-gallery id=38794]

Saints waive Will Clapp again days after signing him to the active roster

The New Orleans Saints have signed, waived, and re-signed offensive lineman Will Clapp 4 times in two weeks as they shuffle the roster.

[jwplayer oeFtsHs2-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints reported just two moves on the daily NFL transactions wire Thursday: the signing of wide receiver Tommylee Lewis to their practice squad and the waiving of offensive lineman Will Clapp from the 53-man roster.

This comes just days after Clapp was signed to the roster from the practice squad, which was preceded by him first being waived on Sept. 26. That’s kind of tough to follow, so here’s the timeline laid out a little more clearly:

So he’s been moved on and off of the team four times in the last two weeks (give or take a day). The Saints practice squad is back to its 16-man capacity (cornerback Ken Crawley and tight end Garrett Griffin reverted to it after being called up for Week 4’s game with the Detroit Lions), so it’s not immediately certain that Clapp will return. But this does suggest there’s a pattern to his transactions as the Saints work within the limits of NFL roster rules.

It’s familiar territory for them. The Saints signed, waived, and re-signed practice squad quarterback J.T. Barrett 28 times from May 2018 to October 2019, which came up just short of former wideout Andy Tanner’s record (having been involved with 29 Saints roster moves from 2011 to 2015). Clapp is someone they’re comfortable dressing for games in a pinch, but also a player the Saints trust can pass through waivers uncontested. We’ll see if the gamble pays off or if his time is already up in New Orleans.

Depending on how the Thursday injury report shakes out, Clapp’s services may no longer be needed. Left guard Andrus Peat is working to return from injury and veteran backup James Hurst just came off the NFL suspended list. They have other reserves like Cameron Tom and Calvin Throckmorton waiting on the practice squad, and a group of four free agent linemen went through a tryout earlier this week. So it’s possible that this is it for Clapp, but we won’t be shocked if he returns soon enough.

[vertical-gallery id=38794]

Saints granted 1-week roster exemption for OL James Hurst

The New Orleans Saints were granted a one-week roster exemption for backup guard/tackle James Hurst after he served a four-week suspension.

[jwplayer YhPc79Wq-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints are getting some reinforcements back at the right time. After finishing their Week 4 road win over the Detroit Lions with two starting offensive linemen on the sidelines, the Saints were given a roster exemption for veteran backup James Hurst. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the exemption expires on Oct. 13, giving Hurst a full week to re-acclimate with the team and avoiding a corresponding release for the Saints.

Hurst signed with the Saints as a free agent earlier this summer, having been released by the Baltimore Ravens; he was ordered by the NFL to serve a four-game suspension for violating the league PED policy during his time in Baltimore, but it’s now behind him. And his help could be badly needed.

Left guard Andrus Peat missed the Lions game with an ankle injury, but right tackle Ryan Ramczyk went down with a concussion, and it’s unclear how long he’ll need to recover. If Hurst is in shape and ready to play right away, he could be a better option to fill in on the right side than second-year pros Ethan Greenidge and Derrick Kelly. And if not, the Saints will have a full week of practice to prepare Greenidge and Kelly to start against the Los Angeles Chargers next Monday.

While Hurst’s NFL experience has been limited to playing on the left side, he has the qualifications to at least hold up better than the other backups at right tackle. When Greenidge went into the game for Ramczyk against Detroit, the Saints couldn’t run to the right side anymore, and he quickly allowed a drive-killing sack. Credit the Lions for identifying the mismatch and taking advantage of it, but at the same time Greenidge has to play better in that situation. And if it comes down to it, Hurst should be expected to perform well if he were thrust into action.

For the long term: once the starting lineup is reassembled, Hurst should be seen as the next-man-up if another starter is injured. He’s a great candidate to back up Terron Armstead at left tackle, which makes sense given Armstead’s own injury history. With the Week 6 bye within sight, the Saints are closer to getting healthy and one game away from looking more like the team we’ve expected.

[vertical-gallery id=38711]

New Orleans Saints Week 4 injury designations: 6 starters ruled OUT, including WR Michael Thomas

The Detroit Lions Week 4 opponent, the New Orleans Saints, have declared their injury designations ahead of this weekend’s matchup.

The Detroit Lions Week 4 opponent, the New Orleans Saints, have declared their injury designations ahead of this weekend’s matchup and they will be without six (!) starters, including five Pro Bowlers.

Here’s a look at the Saints’ full injury designations list.

Ruled OUT

Player Position Injury Designation
Michael Thomas WR Ankle OUT
Jared Cook TE Groin OUT
Andrus Peat Left Guard Ankle OUT
Marcus Davenport EDGE Elbow/Toe OUT
Marshon Lattimore CB Hamstring OUT
Janoris Jenkins CB Shoulder OUT

Thomas has missed the previous two weeks and the Saints offense has suffered because of it. They still have talent, by being down their top wide receiver — and top tight end in Cook — is a big break for the Lions. Thomas was able to get in limited practices all week, but it appears the Saints are still concerned and playing the long game with his injury.

“The fact that (Thomas) is trending well does not necessarily mean he’s gonna play on Sunday,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Friday morning. “The Saints have been cautious. They know it’s a long season. Obviously, they’d like a win, but they’re gonna make sure that there is not a risk of reinjury before they put him back on the field.”

Peat will be replaced in the starting lineup by Nick Easton — who will be shifting from right to left guard — and first-round pick Cesar Ruiz will likely get the start at right guard.

Lattimore and Jenkins are the Saints’ top two cornerbacks, and despite them both having a rough start to 2020, their presence will be massive losses. Patrick Robinson and PJ Williams are next in line on the depth chart but expect to see a lot of three-safety sets with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson manning the slot.

Davenport — yet another first-round pick on defense that won’t be playing on Sunday — has not played this season. The Saints were optimistic he could make his return this week, but after a limited practice on Wednesday, he was shutdown the rest of the week and will not be available.

Questionable

Player Position Injury Designation
Chase Hansen LB Hip Questionable

No injury designation

Player Position Injury Designation
David Onyemata DT Calf No Designation

Onyemata saw a limited practice on Wednesday but worked in full the rest of the week and will start at defensive tackle on Sunday.