Tag: nephi sewell

Nephi Sewell voted as the Saints’ Ed Block Courage Award winner

Nephi Sewell has been voted in as the New Orleans Saints’ Ed Block Courage Award winner for the 2024 season after returning from a serious knee injury:

The New Orleans Saints have voted for their 2024 Ed Block Courage Award winner, and this year the recipient will be third-year linebacker Nephi Sewell. Sewell has been on the long road to recovery from an ACL injury back in Week 17 of the 2023 season, and was able to suit up for his first game of the 2024 season in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns. His recovery, work ethic, and perseverance are listed as the reasons for why he was voted by his teammates, and he is absolutely deserving of this honor with how difficult the recovery from ACL injuries are.

Some of the recent previous winners of this award for the Saints include:

  • 2023: TE Foster Moreau
  • 2022: QB Jameis Winston
  • 2021: LB Kwon Alexander
  • 2020: OT Terron Armstead
  • 2019: DT Sheldon Rankins

Another notable appearance from this award was in 2005, when the entire New Orleans Saints team won the award due to their resilience in the face of Hurricane Katrina, and performance in the face of extreme adversity. Many other Saints greats have been nominated as well, including (but not limited to) Marques Colston, Mark Ingram, Jimmy Graham, Deuce McAllister, Sam Mills, Rickey Jackson, and many others. In addition, Tyrann Mathieu has also received the award back in 2014 when he was with the Arizona Cardinals. This award is a huge honor in the NFL, and is a testament to the courage and commitment of players to both the game of football and their communities.

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Derek Carr returns to practice on the first Week 9 Saints-Panthers injury report

Derek Carr returned to practice on the first Week 9 Saints-Panthers injury report, but a combined 14 players didn’t participate on Wednesday between the two teams:

Derek Carr returned to practice on the first Week 9 injury report, but a combined 14 players didn’t participate on Wednesday between the two teams. The New Orleans Saints had six non-participants to start the week with six more working on a limited basis; two others (linebacker Nephi Sewell and offensive lineman Shane Lemieux) both designated to return this week from  the injury lists, were full participants.

As for the Carolina Panthers? Eight of their own players were sidelined by injuries or veteran’s reset to start the week, with wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) limited. Six more Panthers players practiced fully but were s till listed on the injury report while receiving treatment.

It’s a lot to get through, so here’s the full injury report from each squad:

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Saints designate two players to return from injury lists

Nephi Sewell and Shane Lemieux have 21 days to return to the New Orleans Saints’ active roster. What would be their role upon return?

The New Orleans Saints will be getting pieces back from injury that will add depth to the linebacker corps and offensive line very soon. New Orleans has opened the 21-day window for linebacker Nephi Sewell and offensive lineman Shane Lemieux.

Sewell’s immediate role will be on special teams upon his return from a torn ACL. Demario Davis, Willie Gay Jr., and Pete Werner will lead the charge at linebacker, but Sewell could compete with Anfernee Orji and D’Marco Jackson for reps in case of injury.

Lemieux is an interesting case. He replaced Erik McCoy in the starting lineup after McCoy’s injury versus the Eagles. Shortly after, Lemieux went to injured reserve with an ankle injury. Lemieux could return McCoy is available. If so, would the Saints turn back to Lemieux over Connor McGovern? McCoy’s availability will determine if New Orleans even has to answer that question.

These players have three weeks to be placed on the active roster, otherwise their season is over. That extends to the Saints bye week, so the latest we should see Sewell or Lemieux is Week 13 versus the Los Angeles Rams.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Nephi Sewell is Saints Player of Day 45

Countdown to Kickoff: Nephi Sewell is the Saints Player of Day 45. He made impressive progress last season but is still recovering from a serious knee injury

With only 45 days to go until the Saints season kicks off, we are inching ever so closer to the star of the NFL season. This makes Nephi Sewell today’s New Orleans Saints Player of the Day. Let’s get to know him better:

  • Name (Age): Nephi Sewell (25)
  • Position: Linebacker
  • Height, weight: 6-foot-0, 228 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 7.04
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $985,000
  • College: Utah
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 2022 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: 3rd year

Football is a huge part of the Sewell family. Nephi has three brothers who play professional football. His brothers are Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions, Noah Sewell of the Chicago Bears, and Gabriel Sewell of the Houston Roughnecks. He also had two uncles who played in the NFL.

Sewell went undrafted in 2022 but signed with the Saints. Sewell played a key role on special teams and was a rotational piece on the Saints’ defense this past season. He carved out a role for himself last season defensively but suffered a torn ACL on Dec. 31 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He finished the season with nine tackles and 59 total snaps. Unfortunately, Sewell was placed on the PUP list on July 18 while recovering from that knee injury. We’ll keep an eye out for updates on his progress in recovery. He’ll be striving against several other linebackers (including rookie draft pick Jaylan Ford) for a roster spot but Sewell’s growth last season could give him a leg up on his competition.

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Dennis Allen expects Alvin Kamara, Chase Young to practice at Saints training camp

Dennis Allen expects Alvin Kamara and Chase Young to participate at the first Saints training camp practice on Wednesday:

The New Orleans Saints will formally kick off their 2024 training camp with the first day of practice on Wednesday, July 24, and head coach Dennis Allen is expecting strong attendance. Two big names who have been the subject of a lot of speculation are both going to be on the field: Alvin Kamara and Chase Young.

“Every indication that we’ve gotten is that he’s going to be out here practicing tomorrow, so that’s what we expect,” Allen responded. “We’re looking forward to working with him, you know? I think having him out here, and having him practice, and having him work, that’s beneficial for all of us. Obviously with the new system and new offense, I think that’s important. And yet I think we all understand there’s a business aspect to the game of football. But every indication that we’ve gotten is that he’ll be out here practicing tomorrow.”

A conventional holdout would have been very expensive for Kamara, so it’s not too surprising that he’s reported for camp while negotiating a new deal with the Saints. The question is whether he’ll limit his participating as a “hold-in” but it doesn’t sound like that’s something Allen is anticipating. Kamara’s spot on top of the depth chart isn’t as secure as you’d think given Kendre Miller’s big-play potential, so it’s important the veteran shows he’s as great a fit in Klint Kubiak’s offense as everyone hopes.

And what about Young? The Saints’ big free agent acquisition underwent neck surgery the day after he signed his one-year contract, but his recovery progressed better than expected, and he isn’t going to miss any time at training camp after all. Allen added that while the Saints will monitor his reps out of an abundance of caution, he’s going to be active for the first day of practice.

“Chase Young will participate in some form at practice tomorrow. We have three players, Tanoh (Kpassagnon), Nephi (Sewell), and Juwan Johnson, those three players will not be practicing tomorrow. Everybody else on the roster will be practicing in some form or fashion. Some maybe a little bit more limited coming off injury and things like that, but everybody else is going to be practicing tomorrow,” Allen said.

Kpassagnon suffered an Achilles injury training this offseason and is likely out for the year, but that hasn’t been confirmed yet. Sewell is still recovering from a knee injury he sustained during Dec. 31’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And Johnson is on the mend after requiring foot surgery in May.

Allen confirmed that wide receiver Chris Olave may also be limited at practice while dealing with a back issue, but it’s not serious and he’s expected to take on a heavier workload as camp progresses. Ryan Ramczyk is done for the year on the physically unable to perform list. But for the most part the Saints are starting camp healthier than many other teams around the league.

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Saints linebacker Nephi Sewell suffered season-ending ACL injury

This is a tough break for Nephi Sewell. The New Orleans Saints linebacker suffered a season-ending ACL injury during Week 17’s big road win:

This is a tough break for Nephi Sewell. The New Orleans Saints linebacker suffered a season-ending ACL injury during Week 17’s big road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sewell’s knee buckled on a non-contact play as he ran with a receiver in coverage on Alontae Taylor’s interception of Baker Mayfield, and he needed assistance leaving the field on a trainer’s cart. Saints head coach Dennis Allen confirmed the bad news on Monday when meeting with local media.

Sewell, 25, had played himself into a real role defensively as the top backup for middle linebacker Demario Davis. A former undrafted free agent out of Utah and one of three brothers in the NFL (along with Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell and Chicago Bears linebacker Noah Sewell), he earned reps on defense by playing well on special teams as a rookie in 2022. This season he ranked fifth on the team in snaps played in the kicking game (266).

But the timing of this injury couldn’t be worse. It could take as many as nine months for Sewell to recover functionality in his knee, and it’ll take longer than that for him to regain trust in the surgically-repaired joint, as is the case for every athlete who experiences this type of injury. That’s going to cost him valuable snaps at practice throughout the offseason program and likely the beginning of training camp in July.

Still, Sewell has overcome adversity before, and he has a great support system. He overcame a serious neck injury in his junior year of high school, and he’s taken the hard road to the NFL as an undrafted player who had to earn his snaps. He’s still under contract for 2024 and should return with a good chance to contribute in the fall, but it’s going to be a while before fans see him out on the field goal. Here’s to a full and speedy recovery for him.

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Dennis Allen shares injury updates on multiple Saints players after Bucs win

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen shared injury updates on Alvin Kamara and other players who exited Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

The black and gold came away with a win, but not without cost: several players exited the game with injuries of varying severity. Afterwards, New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen shared updates on Alvin Kamara and those other players who left Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though it may take some time before we know for certain when they’ll be able to return to the lineup.

Here’s what we do know after Allen spoke with the media after the final whistle:

Alvin Kamara among 3 Saints players ruled out vs. Bucs with injuries

RB Alvin Kamara is among 3 Saints players ruled out vs. Buccaneers with injuries, along with RT Landon Young and LB Nephi Sewell:

Of course it couldn’t be as easy for the New Orleans Saints as to walk in and out of Tampa Bay with a win over the Buccaneers. The team shared updates on several players who exited the game with injuries early in the fourth quarter — including Alvin Kamara.

After being initially ruled questionable to return, the Saints announced that Kamara would not return due to an ankle injury. That’s also the case for right tackle Landon Young, who suffered a knee injury while starting in relief of Ryan Ramczyk. A third Saints player, backup linebacker Nephi Sewell, also injured his knee on a non-contact play but was immediately ruled out.

It’s been a costly afternoon for New Orleans. The Saints have dominated in all phases but they’re losing some key players. Hopefully these downgrades for Kamara and Young are just precautionary; if the Saints are going to have any hope of winning a playoff seed they’ll need all hands on deck in the regular season finale against the Atlanta Falcons next week.

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WATCH: Nephi Sewell forces a Panthers fumble and it is returned for a TD

WATCH: Nephi Sewell forces a Panthers special teams fumble and D’Marco Jackson returns it for a big Saints touchdown

With Steve Gleason in the house, the New Orleans Saints come away with a blocked punt against the Carolina Panthers that was brought back for a touchdown.

Nephi Sewell ran through the Panthers special teams virtually unblocked and was able to get to Johnny Hekker in time for a loud block. Fellow young linebacker D’Marco Jackson was there to scoop up the ball and ran it in for the touchdown.

But it’s not going down in the stats sheet as a blocked punt. The NFL office reviewed the play and found that Hekker never actually kicked the ball, so it’s being recorded as a forced fumble, recovery, and return for a special teams touchdown. Either way, the points came as a sigh of relief on a day where neither offense had found consistent success.

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No ‘Sewell Bowl’ between Lions and Bears in Week 11

The Sewell brothers were set to play in Week 11, but Bears LB Noah was ruled out with a knee injury

The much-anticipated first NFL meeting between the Sewell brothers will have to wait a little longer. Detroit right tackle Penei Sewell and Bears LB Noah Sewell were set to face off in Week 11 in Ford Field, but an injury will keep it from happening.

The Bears ruled Noah Sewell, a rookie from Oregon, out with a knee injury. Big brother Penei, now in his third season with the Lions, will look to extend his impressive shutout streak in pass protection without having to block his little brother.

Noah Sewell has played sparingly as a fifth-round rookie. He’s been on the field for just 25 total snaps across 10 games. This will be the first NFL contest he’s missed due to injury.

The “Sewell Bowl” could still happen in Week 14 in Chicago, a game that the Bears will host after coming off their bye week. Their brother Nephi is a linebacker for the Saints as well; Penei and Nephi will square off in Week 13 if Nephi is active for the game. He was inactive when Noah’s Bears met the Saints in Week 9.