Tag: Saints

Saints announce inactive players for Week 15 vs. Washington Commanders

The New Orleans Saints announced their inactive players for Week 15’s game with the Washington Commanders, who made a last-second decision on their starting center:

The New Orleans Saints announced their inactive players for Week 15’s game with the Washington Commanders, who had to make a last-second decision on their starting center Tyler Biadasz after he contracted an illness. He was a late addition to the injury report and officially labeled questionable, but wasn’t able to play.

As for the Saints? They had already ruled out starting quarterback Derek Carr (left hand/concussion), with a couple of players also unavailable on injured reserve in third-year linebacker D’Marco Jackson (ankle) and rookie wide receiver Bub Means (ankle). Washington put wide receiver Noah Brown on their own injured reserve list after he suffered a significant kidney injury.

Here are the full inactive lists from each team:

New Orleans Saints inactive players

  • QB Derek Carr
  • RB Jordan Mims
  • WR Mason TIpton
  • DE Tanoh Kpassagnon
  • DT Khristian Boyd

Washington Commanders inactive players

  • C Tyler Biadasz
  • WR K.J. Osborn
  • CB Michael Davis
  • LB Dominique Hampton
  • K Zane Gonzalez
  • DT Phidarian Mathis
  • QB Jeff Driskel (emergency QB3)

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Former Saints QB wins a state title in first year as high school coach

Former Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern High School to a state championship in his first year as their head football coach:

Teddy Bridgewater made good on his word. The former New Orleans Saints quarterback led his Miami Northwestern High School football team to a state championship in 3A competition on Saturday night.

“Teddy Two Gloves” found immediate success in coaching high school ball at his old stomping grounds, and their playoff run is one for the record books:

  • 69-0 win vs. Barron Collier
  • 64-12 win vs. Lely
  • 48-0 win vs. Cypress Lake
  • 40-0 win vs. Eau Gallie
  • 41-0 win vs. Raines

Good for him and the young men he’s coaching. Bridgewater has done well for himself everywhere he’s been, whether as a starting quarterback in high school or in college at Louisville, or as a top-flight backup with the Saints; he saved their 2019 season by stepping in for an injured Drew Brees. Now he’s earned some coaching bona fides, too.

So what’s next for Bridgewater? He could run it back at Miami Northwestern or go looking for other opportunities, having speculated about a return to the NFL before. Wherever he goes next, it’s a safe bet that he’ll have plenty of fans cheering him on.

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Saints downgrade injured starter, won’t play vs. Commanders in Week 15

The New Orleans Saints downgraded injured quarterback Derek Carr, confirming he won’t play against the Washington Commanders in Week 15:

The New Orleans Saints downgraded injured quarterback Derek Carr on Saturday afternoon, confirming he won’t play against the Washington Commanders in Week 15. This was the expectation, but given Carr’s initial game status (doubtful), it’s now official.

Carr fractured a bone in his non-throwing hand last week and suffered a concussion on the same play, having tried to leap ahead to convert a first down. He came up short and hurt himself in the attempt. It’ll be his backup Jake Haener filling in on Sunday.

How long Carr will be out remains to be seen. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi has said he’ll be evaluated on a week-to-week basis, but if this injury lingers we may not see Carr again through the final four games. In the meantime, Haener has a big opportunity in front of him, and the second-year pro should try to make the most of it.

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Saints activate a veteran defensive lineman from the PUP list for Week 15

The New Orleans Saints activated veteran defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon from the PUP list for Week 15’s game with the Washington Commanders:

There it is. The New Orleans Saints activated veteran defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon from the PUP list for Week 15’s game with the Washington Commanders. In a corresponding move, third-year linebacker D’Marco Jackson was sent to injured reserve after hurting his ankle last week.

Kpassagnon injured his Achilles tendon in the offseason and missed all of training camp recovering, plus most of the regular season. It’s impressive that he’s been able to play this year at all while dealing with such a serious injury. The Saints stashed him on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) until three weeks ago, at which point he returned to practice. Now he’s been cleared to dress for a game.

And he’s arriving at the perfect time. The Saints’ pass rush has been heating up behind Chase Young and Bryan Bresee, and Kpasagnon is a versatile defender who can get after the quarterback from inside or outside, though he’s spent most of his time at defensive end. He’s also going to be a free agent in the spring so this gives him an opportunity to pad out his resume with some quality game tape down the stretch.

As for Jackson? His year is likely done, though we don’t know the severity of this ankle injury. He’ll have to miss at least the next four games on injured reserve before he’ll be eligible to return, and at that point the regular season will be over. If the Saints can manage to qualify for the playoffs despite their 5-8 record thus far, he’ll have a shot, however slim.

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Jayden Daniels’ versatility is a huge challenge for Saints defense

Joe Woods understands Jayden Daniels can hurt you with arm and legs, but the Saints are stressing the need to keep him in the pocket:

Jayden Daniels’ ability to pass and run provides the New Orleans Saints with one of their most difficult challenges of the season.

New Orleans has a poor history of stopping quarterbacks from running the football. It’s been this way for years, and Daniels is the wrong quarterback to face when that’s one of your struggles.

Defensive coordinator Joe Woods recalled when he knew the Washington Commanders quarterback would transition to the league seamlessly. “One game against a really good team he had about 100 yards on three scrambles, so right then I was like this dude is going to be a problem.”

Daniels’ speed gives him the upper hand if he has to get to the edge. Woods told reporters “We’re going to have different ways to control him and keep him in the pocket.”

Woods was sure to highlight Daniels’ ability to throw at a high level, not just run. Woods said: “I think he’s a pocket passer. I think he goes through his progressions. I think he has the arm strength to make all the throws, very accurate on his deep balls.”

His running gets a lot of attention, but Daniels will threaten New Orleans’ defense through the air and on the ground.

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Jake Haener feels he ‘earned’ the starting role in Week 15

It’s another new QB for the Saints. Jake Haener feels his performance in relief duty showcased why he deserved the opportunity to start on Sunday:

When Derek Carr fractured his hand last week, there was a belief Jake Haener would be the New Orleans Saints starting quarterback. Darren Rizzi kept the door open to Spencer Rattler getting a second shot in the starting lineup.

Ultimately, the Saints went with the expected decision of starting Haener against the Washington Commanders. It’s an opportunity the quarterback feels he “earned” by entering games “with no preparation in practice no reps, (and) being able to come in and move the ball.”

Haener has spent the entire season as the second quarterback on the depth chart. Even when Carr went down with injury at the beginning of the year, Rattler jumped ahead of Haener. Through it all, Haener’s preparation stayed steady. Now it’s the second year quarterback’s time to shine.

The only difference is the amount of reps Haener is taking in practice. “You get reps with the guys who are out there playing. Having an idea of the speed of the guys and being able to rep the plays you’re going to run in the game is huge.”

Haener showed a good sense for timing in his small sample size. Having a week of practice should only increase the synergy to maximize the timing that has highlighted the few snaps Haener has taken.

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Saints labeled a perfect fit for this 2025 draft prospect

The Saints should look to bolster their running backs room this offseason, and this Bleacher Report writer believes Dylan Sampson is a perfect fit:

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski believes the New Orleans Saints are a perfect fit for Dylan Sampson, a popular prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. The last time the Saints drafted a running back from Tennessee, you could say it worked out alright. Sampson even wears the same No. 6 jersey that Alvin Kamara used with the Volunteers.

Right now the running back room includes Kamara, Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams. Jordan Mims and Xazavian Valladay are also in the mix but they’ll both be free agents in the spring.

And Kamara is the only one guaranteed a spot next year. Williams being a cap casualty is a strong possibility when looking at his usage over the past two years. Miller’s injury history makes it hard to trust him even if he remains healthy to close the season. There will be a feeling in the back of the mind that’s hard to shake. Miller has the potential to be Kamara’s running mate, but if he suffers another injury, that would leave the Saints out to dry.

Seeing that Kamara could be on his final contract, investing in a running mate is a logical choice. Georgia coach Kirby Smart called Sampson “an elite runner.” He went on to directly compare Sampson to Kamara, saying, “And I know where he’s from, in Louisiana, they do nothing but have great backs from there. He reminds me so much of his run skill set of Kamara, of Alvin. He’s very smooth and elusive.”

Smart compared Sampson to Kamara in terms of elusiveness and smoothness. Worst-case, Sampson could work with Kamara and Miller as part of a three-headed rushing attack.

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Cameron Jordan had the perfect response to Marshon Lattimore’s debut vs. Saints

Cameron Jordan found out Marshon Lattimore would make his debut against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, and he reacted just like any other fan:

Marshon Lattimore had to return from injury at some point, and all signs point to him making his Washington Commanders debut against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.

Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan had an extremely relatable reaction to this news: “Just knew it. Just knew he was going to wait for this game.”

This was a predictable scenario, so we’ve been tracking Lattimore’s health for a couple of weeks. His practice status improved just before the Commanders’ bye week. That was a huge signal he’d be ready for Week 15, coming out the bye, against his former team.

Jordan, like many Saints fans, still believes in Lattimore’s talent. Jordan gave Lattimore his credit, calling him the team’s best cornerback. Quantity of games has been a much larger obstacle than quality of play for the former Pro Bowler.

 As the Saints take on the Commanders, Lattimore will be going against a depleted Saints receiving corps. Regardless of who he’s facing, the “Marshon Lattimore Revenge Game” is the attention-grabber of Week 15.

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Marshon Lattimore getting plenty of motivation from facing former team

Marshon Lattimore isn’t hiding anything. He feels plenty of motivation from facing his former team, and wants to prove the Saints were wrong to trade him:

Marshon Lattimore was often thrown out as a potential trade piece for at least a year before the New Orleans Saints actually traded their star cornerback to the Washington Commanders.

Lattimore hasn’t played since being traded, but he’ll make his debut in a Commanders uniform in Week 15.

While some players may downplay what this game means, Lattimore put it all out in the open. He went as far as to say he’d be lying to say making his debut against the Saints doesn’t mean more than if it were any other team.

Any time a player plays his former team, fans will label it a revenge game. That term is usually just fan discussion and in jest.

This isn’t just within the fan base. This is a true revenge game, at least from Lattimore’s side.  His comments ahead of the Week 15 matchup confirms at Lattimore views this as a revenge game. He told reporters, “They traded me away. I’m going back to show why they shouldn’t have.”

There was documented tension between Lattimore and, then head coach, Dennis Allen. Despite the change at head coach, Lattimore still enters this week with a chip on his shoulder.

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Saints share good news on final injury report vs. Washington Commanders

The New Orleans Saints shared good news on Alvin Kamara with their final injury report for Week 15’s game against the Washington Commanders:

Here we go. The New Orleans Saints shared good news on Alvin Kamara with their final injury report for Week 15’s game against the Washington Commanders. Kamara missed the first two days of practice recovering from an illness, but the star running back worked out fully on Friday and has no game status listed for Sunday’s kickoff — he’ll be leading the charge like he has all year.

A couple of Saints players were listed with game statuses worth watching, though. Starting quarterback Derek Carr (left hand/concussion) is doubtful to play after missing practice this week. Veteran defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon (Achilles) has been working his way back from the physically unable to perform list (PUP) and is officially questionable for Sunday’s game. Rookie wide receiver Bub Means (ankle), who is on injured reserve, has been ruled out along with backup linebacker D’Marco Jackson (ankle).

As for the other side? Former Saints Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is expected to play and make his Washington Commanders debut after missing the last month with that soft-tissue injury, having been dealt at the NFL trade deadline. Of course he’s debuting against his former team. Additionally, Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (kidney) has been ruled out, and three of his teammates are questionable: defensive tackle Daron Payne (back), wide receiver Jamison Crowder (calf), and kicker Zane Gonzalez (left foot).

Here is the final injury report from both teams:

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