Saints coach Darren Rizzi shares update on Erik McCoy injury

Darren Rizzi shared an update on Monday regarding the status of center Erik McCoy, who exited Sunday’s game with an injury:

Darren Rizzi provided an update on Monday regarding the status of center Erik McCoy, who went down during the Saints’ 35-14 win over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday with a groin injury.

It was his first game back after missing seven games due to the same injury, but he re-aggravated it here.

Ahead of the bye week on the horizon, Rizzi indicated that McCoy “went through a bunch of tests” and that the team was using caution in this situation.

He noted it was a positive thing that the Saints had a bye week to rest up, but made it clear McCoy would be fine regardless.

The importance of McCoy is not to be underestimated when it comes to keeping veteran quarterback Derek Carr upright, and that’s something the quarterback paid respect to in the week leading up to the game when he met with the media.

“He can fix problems on the fly, things no one will ever see, no one will ever know, handling the un-scouted looks and then winning his matchups,” Carr said. “For a QB, it’s nice when he’s there, because you know exactly what you’re getting.”

Expect McCoy to be back in the fold at full capacity when the Saints continue the 2024 schedule against the Los Angeles Rams. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. CT in the Caesars Superdome on Dec. 1.

Saints rule out four players vs. Falcons on final Week 10 injury report

The New Orleans Saints ruled out four players for Sunday’s rivalry game with the Atlanta Falcons on the final Week 10 injury report:

The New Orleans Saints ruled out four players for Sunday’s rivalry game with the Atlanta Falcons on the final Week 10 injury report, including star wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion). He’ll be joined on the sideline by wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (shoulder), cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring), and left guard Lucas Patrick (ankle). Starting center Erik McCoy (groin), w ho recently returned to practice, is doubtful to suit up.

Seven more Saints players are questionable for Sunday. That list includes safety J.T. Gray (back), cornerback Rico Payton (back), running  back  Jamaal Williams (groin), defensive tackle John Ridgway (oblique), safety Will Harris (hamstring), guard/center Shane Lemieux (knee), and linebacker Nephi Sewell (knee).

Two more Saints players were listed on the injury report this week, but they are both expected to play — running back Alvin Kamara (hand) and quarterback Derek Carr (illness).

For Atlanta, inside linebacker JD Bertrand (concussion) has been preemptively ruled out, whereas wide receiver Drake London (hip) and center Drew Dalman (ankle) are each questionable. It feels safe to say the Falcons have an advantage in team health for this week’s game.

Here’s the full and final Week 10 Saints-Falcons injury report:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints’ most important offensive starter returns after early-season injury

The Saints haven’t won a game since Erik McCoy got hurt. Their most important offensive starter returned to practice after an early-season injury:

This could be big. The New Orleans Saints haven’t won a game since Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy got hurt back in Week 3, which put him on injured reserve after undergoing groin muscle surgery. But their most important offensive starter returned to practice on Thursday, at least on a limited basis.

It’s still probably too soon for McCoy to get back into a game; his initial timeline had him returning to the lineup after the bye week. There’s a chance he could return sooner, and opening his 21-day practice window may indicate he’ll be back sooner rather than later.

Klint Kubiak installed his offense with the idea that McCoy would be responsible for reading the defense pre-snap and adjusting protection at the line of scrimmage, taking a load off Derek Carr’s shoulders so the quarterback could focus on communicating with his receivers and getting the ball out quickly. That plan had to be scrapped when the center went down with an injury, but his return (whenever it comes) could be just what they need to get the offense back on track.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

NFC playoff favorite emerges as ‘real contender’ in Marshon Lattimore trade talks

An NFC playoff favorite has emerged as a ‘real contender’ in Marshon Lattimore trade talks. He could soon join Jayden Daniels on the Washington Commanders:

Here’s some movement. CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports that the Washington Commanders have “emerged as a real contender” in trade talks for New Orleans Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The former four-time Pro Bowler has been at the center of negotiations with multiple teams before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, but Washington may be best-positioned to cut a deal.

The Commanders own two picks in 2025’s third round, including a high choice coming back from the Miami Dolphins (which they got from the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for wide receiver Jahan Dotson). If the Saints are smart, they’ll push to bundle that early third rounder with multiple late-round picks, replacing assets they’ve traded to other teams in Rounds 6 and 7.

Washington has surprised the NFL world by jumping out to a 7-2 start this season, led by playmaking rookie  quarterback Jayden Daniels. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn knows Lattimore well after playing against him as the former Atlanta Falcons head coach, and he could be the piece that puts them over the top. Stay tuned.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints announce inactive players for Week 9 game vs. Panthers

Injuries in the Saints’ cornerback room highlight the inactive players in Week 9. Here’s who will be sitting this one out for both teams:

Injuries took a toll on the New Orleans Saints cornerback room going into the Carolina Panthers matchup. Marshon Lattimore and Kool-Aid McKinstry were ruled out on Friday due to injury. McKinstry suffered his injury during practice. Lattimore exited a game with a hamstring for the second time this season

Kendre Miller and Bub Means are also dealing with injuries, but they aren’t on the inactive players because they’re on injured reserve. Jamaal Williams was also listed as doubtful.

No Miller. No Williams. Expect the typical heavy dosage of Alvin Kamara.

The Panthers will be without Adam Thielen, but Xavier Legette is available to Bryce Young. Offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu is out after leaving last week’s game with an ankle injury. Young’s supporting cast being at less than full strength will impact an already struggling offense.

This is a rematch from the season opener. The Saints trampled the Panthers and started the Saints hype train. Fast forward to Week 9 and these teams have the two longest losing streaks in the NFL.

Here is the full list of inactive players in Saints versus Panthers:

New Orleans Saints inactive players:

  • CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring)
  • CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring)
  • CB Rico Payton (back)
  • RB Jamaal Williams (groin)
  • DT John Ridgeway (oblique)
  • LB Jaylan Ford
  • QB Spencer Rattler (emergency quarterback)

Carolina Panthers inactive players:

  • LT Ikem Ekwonu (ankle)
  • TE Felipe Franks (concussion)
  • S Jammie Robinson (knee)
  • CB Shemar Bartholomew
  • OLB DJ Johnson
  • TE Tommy Tremble

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Report: Super Bowl contender calling Saints about their best defender

The Kansas City Chiefs and others have called about Marshon Lattimore. Other than the Saints’ hesitance to cut a deal, what could stop those conversations?

Dennis Allen made it clear the New Orleans Saints aren’t in the business of selling off assets as the NFL trade deadline approaches. Simply saying the Saints aren’t sellers won’t stop teams from testing the waters. The next question became, are teams calling the Saints, and if so, for who?

Marshon Lattimore was the first guess, and he has become the first Saints player connected to another team. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Kansas City Chiefs have called to see about the cornerback’s availability.

The Chiefs aren’t the only team calling about the Lattimore, either. The teams calling New Orleans are likely also contending for the playoffs. At the current time, Lattimore feels more like the cherry on top rather than the shake itself.

Lattimore has constantly dealt with injuries over the last three years. He’s currently on the shelf with a hamstring injury. Those health concerns are what could keep teams from heavily pursuing him or lessen the compensation the Saints could see in return. The deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. CT. Let’s see if they cut a deal.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints injury report: 4 players ruled out, 6 more questionable vs. Panthers

The Saints and Panthers are both banged up. Between the two teams, Week 9’s final injury report ruled out 7 players, with 4 doubtful and 11 questionable:

It’s another rough injury report for the New Orleans Saints in Week 9, but the Carolina Panthers aren’t in much better shape. The Saints ruled out four players with six more questionable for Sunday’s game — and another one, running back Jamaal Williams (groin), is doubtful to play.

As for Carolina? Three Panthers players have already been ruled out, three more are doubtful to play at all, and five are questionable with injuries. You could almost make a 53-man roster out of all the injured players between the two teams.

But back to the Saints. New Orleans will be without cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring) as well as running back Kendre Miller (hamstring) and rookie wide receiver Bub Means (ankle). The group of questionable players includes cornerback Rico Payton (back), wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip), left guard Nick Saldiveri (shoulder), guard/center Shanne Lemieux (knee), linebacker Nephi Sewell (knee), and defensive tackle John Ridgeway (oblique).

That’s a lot to remember. Here’s the final Week 9 injury report from both teams:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Saints rule out both cornerbacks for Week 9 vs. Panthers

Dennis Allen announced that cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Kool-Aid McKinstry are both out for Week 9’s game with the Panthers due to hamstring injuries:

This isn’t good.  New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen announced Friday that cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Kool-Aid McKinstry are both out for Week 9’s game with the Carolina Panthers due to hamstring injuries. Because veteran starter Paulson Adebo is also out for the year with a broken leg, three of their four top cornerbacks are going to miss this game.

That presents a serious challenge for the secondary, but there’s more to consider. Normally, rookie backup Rico Payton would be expected to start in this situation. But he’s been dealing with a back injury and may not be able to suit up, either. That leaves Alontae Taylor as the only healthy corner on the 53-man roster, so fans should expect either Shemar Jean-Charles or Tre Herndon to come up from the practice squad on Sunday, if not both of them.

Soft-tissue issues like hamstring and groin injuries have plagued the Saints this season; few teams have had as many problems managing these specific ailments. Both Allen and general manager Mickey Loomis  have noted that it’s unusual to see them occurring so often at specific position groups like cornerback, so the team will need to make some changes to curb them in the future. But that’s a challenge which will have to wait until the offseason. For now, all they can do is prepare as best they can for Sunday.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes draws interest in WNBA expansion to Kansas City

Could #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes help bring professional basketball back to Kansas City?

According to a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany could be looking to expand their sports franchise portfolio.

The entrepreneurial couple already owns a stake in the KC Current of the National Women’s Soccer League, the Kansas City Royals, and Sporting KC.

This week, it was reported that the KC Current ownership group, which includes the Chiefs’ star signal-caller, met with the WNBA to discuss bringing an expansion team to Kansas City.

According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the league is interested in adding franchises, and the KC Current’s ownership group seems to be vying for the deal.

Take a look at Schefter’s report, which was shared on his official Twitter account:

 

Though no deal seems to be imminent, sports fans in Kansas City have long hoped for basketball’s return to the Show Me State, and Mahomes may be able to deliver if things get serious with the WNBA.

Just two Saints didn’t practice on the first Week 8 injury report

Just two Saints didn’t practice on the first Week 8 injury report. Dennis Allen’s team is getting healthier, but it is too little, too late?

Just two members of the New Orleans Saints didn’t practice on Wednesday, according to the first Week 8 injury report. Dennis Allen’s team is getting healthier, but it may be too little, too late. That’s what we’ll be looking to find out against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.

Starting quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) is probably another week away from returning to the field. Backup left guard Nick Saldiveri (shoulder), thrust into the starting lineup after attrition wore down the options ahead of him, also sat out Wednesday’s practice but he’s expected back soon. This isn’t as serious as the shoulder injury that cost him his rookie season.

So while there are a ton of players listed on the Saints injury report (14 of them in total), all but those two practiced in some capacity. Two key players practiced fully on Wednesday while receiving treatment from the training staff — starting cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler (hip), this week’s starter.

That’s a marked improvement. We’ll keep tabs on everyone’s status throughout the week, but here’s the initial injury report:

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]