Tag: status

Ryan Ramczyk (concussion) set to return for Saints vs. Chargers

New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is expected to play versus the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football after a concussion

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There was a scary moment at Ford Field in Week 4 when New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk struggled to get to his feet after a hard collision, prompting him to exit the game against the Detroit Lions and enter the NFL concussion protocol.

But Ramczyk went through the procedures and was cleared to practice on a limited basis on Thursday and Friday, and now he’s ready to get back on the field after fully participating in Saturday’s practice session. He received no formal game status — out, questionable, or otherwise — in the final injury report, and the Saints should have him back in the starting lineup on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.

His loss was felt immediately a week ago: the Saints struggled to move the ball against Detroit, with Ramczyk’s backup quickly allowing a sack. So getting him back is a tremendous upgrade. Ramczyk has been one of the NFL’s best right tackles since the Saints drafted him back in 2017, and they’ll need him to help contain superstar Chargers pass rusher Joey Bosa, who is officially questionable to play with triceps and knee injuries. Bosa has already created three sacks in his first four games; he’s bagged 44 sacks in his 57-game NFL career (including the playoffs).

Since being selected with the 31st pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin, Ramczyk has started 56 of 57 possible games for the Saints (having been held out of a meaningless Week 17 game in 2018, after New Orleans secured the No. 1 NFC playoff seed). He’s consistently graded as one of the five or six best right tackles in the league, and was recognized as an AP All-Pro in both 2018 (second team) and 2019 (first team).

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Saints-Packers injury report: Marcus Davenport returns, Michael Thomas still out

The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers updated their injury report and shared statuses for key players following practice on Thursday.

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The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers updated their injury report for key players following Thursday’s practice sessions.

New Orleans welcomed defensive end Marcus Davenport back to practice on a limited basis, which would be a huge addition to the pass rush unit. He’s been sidelined for weeks with an elbow injury but could make his 2020 season debut if he practices again on Friday.

However, wide receiver Michael Thomas did not participate, which is unsurprising. He’s not expected to return for another week or two (or longer), so the Saints will probably have to continue working without him. But we can’t rule him out for certain until the Saints make it official.

One more injury of note: nose tackle Malcom Brown was downgraded. The Wednesday injury report was a best guess by the training staff because the team didn’t practice after traveling back home from Las Vegas, but they estimated him as being a limited participant. When the Saints got to work on Thursday, he wasn’t able to join them.

If Brown can’t play on Sunday, that could mean the return of Shy Tuttle to the interior rotation. He was a productive rookie in 2019 and could add some juice on passing downs. Increased depth along the line has made Tuttle a healthy scratch through two weeks.

And the full injury report for Thursday, Sept. 24:

From the Saints

Player, injury Sept. 23 (estimated) Sept. 24 Sept. 25 Game status
DE Marcus Davenport (elbow) DNP Limited
WR Michael Thomas (ankle) DNP DNP
LB Chase Hansen (hip) DNP DNP
DE Trey Hendrickson (groin) DNP Limited
DT Malcom Brown (foot) Limited DNP
T Terron Armstead (groin) Limited Limited

From the Packers

Player, injury Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 25 Game status
WR Davante Adams (hamstring) DNP DNP
DT Kenny Clark (groin) DNP Limited
DE Montravius Adams (toe) Limited Full
TE Josiah Degura (ankle) Limited DNP
LB Randy Ramsey (groin) Limited Limited
CB Jaire Alexander (hand) Full Full
C Corey Linsley (thumb) Full Full
T Billy Turner (knee) Full Full
TE Marcedes Lewis (not injury related) DNP
P JK Scott (not injury related) DNP

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NFL Week 3: Davante Adams sidelined on first Saints-Packers injury report

The New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers released their first injury report ahead of their Week 3 kickoff on “Sunday Night Football.”

The New Orleans Saints did not hold a practice session on Wednesday after traveling back home on a short week, so they estimated practice participation for all players managing injury situations. That means we shouldn’t look too deeply into anything just yet; these statuses are only educated guesses from the Saints medical staff.

That isn’t the case for the Green Bay Packers injury report. Green Bay held Davante Adams, their best wide receiver, out of practice after he exited their Week 2 game with a hamstring injury, and defensive tackle Kenny Clark also rested (while listed with a groin injury).

Their status should be monitored as the week progresses, but Adams’ situation feels very similar to the hamstring issue Mike Evans dealt with before the Saints’ season opener. For now, we should look to Sunday’s night game with the expectation that he will line up against Marshon Lattimore.

The full injury report for Wednesday, Sept. 23:

From the Saints

Player, injury Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 25 Game status
DE Marcus Davenport (elbow) DNP
WR Michael Thomas (ankle) DNP
LB Chase Hansen (hip) DNP
DE Trey Hendrickson (groin) DNP
DT Malcom Brown (foot) Limited
T Terron Armstead (groin) Limited

From the Packers

Player, injury Sept. 23 Sept. 24 Sept. 25 Game status
WR Davante Adams (hamstring) DNP
DT Kenny Clark (groin) DNP
DE Montravius Adams (toe) Limited
TE Josiah Degura (ankle) Limited
LB Randy Ramsey (groin) Limited
CB Jaire Alexander (hand) Full
C Corey Linsley (thumb) Full
T Billy Turner (knee) Full

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Buccaneers upgrade WR Mike Evans to questionable vs. Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers upgraded wide receiver Mike Evans to questionable, not doubtful, for Sunday’s game with the New Orleans Saints.

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This will surely stun everyone: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have upgraded wide receiver Mike Evans from doubtful to questionable for Sunday’s game with the New Orleans Saints. Evans was a limited participant in Friday’s practice session after resting a hamstring injury throughout the week, but he must have shown enough confidence in his leg during Saturday’s walkthrough to earn this optimism.

He will still have to go through pregame warmups and a final check by the Buccaneers medical staff, but Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians has said all along that Evans playing would end up being a gametime decision. At this stage, the Saints should probably plan on Evans lining up against them.

If he does play, expect top Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore to run against him for most of the day. Lattimore and Evans have traded big games against each other before, with Evans winning the 2018 season opener off of 7 receptions for 147 yards and a score, while Lattimore didn’t allow him to catch a single pass in their most recent meeting.

That decision could also be informed by Evans’ success against the No. 2 Saints cornerback, Janoris Jenkins, when he played the New York Giants last year. Evans drew Jenkins in coverage for much of the game and won that matchup handily, totaling 8 receptions for 150 yards and 3 touchdown catches. Jenkins should be assigned to cover Chris Godwin this time around, but the Buccaneers may get creative and move their receivers around more often to take advantage of a mismatch.

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How strong is Florida football head coach Dan Mullen’s job security?

Mullen has started strong in his UF head coach tenure but he may need to win the SEC this season in order to jump to “untouchable” status.

Job security is a fickle thing. Coaches can go from comfortable to the hot seat and back within the course of a single season (see Auburn’s Gus Malzahn). Coaches can go from winning back-to-back division titles to getting fired midseason (isn’t that neat?).

So, after two successful seasons in Gainesville which resulted in New Year’s Six Bowl titles, how safe is coach Dan Mullen’s job?

According to CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd, he’s among the safest in the country. Dodd rated every coach’s security on a five-point scale ranging from “0” or “untouchable” to “5” or “win or be fired.”

Mullen was labeled a “1” meaning his job is safe and secure, one of 43 FBS coaches in that category. He hasn’t proven enough to Dodd to be considered “untouchable” by Dodd like conference contemporaries Nick Saban and Kirby Smart. Nearly all of the 24 “untouchable” coaches are coaches that either just got hired this past offseason or are long-tenured coaches who have won conference titles.

Though Mullen has had a strong start to his UF head coaching career, he may need to win the SEC (or at least the SEC East) this season in order to make the jump from “safe and secure” to “untouchable.”

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Sean Payton’s social distancing strategy? Pretend that ‘everyone’s got a hand grenade’

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says he’s feeling better almost a week after receiving a positive coronavirus diagnosis.

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It’s been nearly a week since New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton received a positive diagnosis for the novel coronavirus spreading throughout the nation, but he says he’s feeling better. Payton has hunkered down at home and remained careful to avoid other people, which would put them at risk of catching the infection. He talked about his experience and ways he and others could do a better job of protecting their communities during an interview with WWL Radio.

“Listen, it makes complete sense,” Payton said when asked about the strict travel restrictions and shelter-in-place recommendations from local governments. “And look, we try asking nicely, and we try saying, ‘Hey look, this is the deal.’ And then you still see behavior that makes you upset.”

The popular rule has been to maintain six feet of clear space between people and those around them, to which Payton offered a helpful reminder: “Just picture it as everyone’s got a hand grenade on them. How about that? Alright, so stay away from everybody. The state has issued — our state right now, and a lot of it has to do with Mardi Gras, but our state right now, the numbers aren’t good.”

Louisiana has been a hotbed of coronavirus infections, even moreso than other states. That’s likely due to the state’s (and New Orleans in particular) tourism-focused economy, which hosts millions of visitors each month, as well as a healthcare system that’s been quickly overwhelmed by the rapid spread of infections. It’s inspired Saints leaders like team owner Gayle Benson and quarterback Drew Brees to step up in assisting their communities.

But as Payton learned firsthand, the coronavirus has already established a foothold in the state. It’s going to take more proactive measures like what he’s endorsed to prevent the situation from worsening further. At any rate, it’s great to see Payton using his own experience and platform to encourage others to take care of themselves and those around them.

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Drew Brees agrees with Saints on contract extension through 2021

The New Orleans Saints and Hall of Fame-bound quarterback Drew Brees agreed on a contract extension that will run through the 2021 season.

The biggest domino of the New Orleans Saints offseason has fallen. Drew Brees and the Saints have agreed on a two-year, $50 million contract extension that will ensure the Hall of Fame-bound quarterback finishes his career in the Crescent City. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport first reported the blockbuster deal’s completion.

This move is important for several reasons; first and foremost, the Saints finally have a quarterback under contract for the 2020 season, allowing them to field an offense at complete strength. Besides that obvious bonus, the structure in Brees’ new deal changes his salary cap hit, giving the Saints a better idea of the resources they can spend in free agency.

Like his previous contract, Brees is taking this one year-to-year to with the Saints, meaning that the team will not be shackled to an aging quarterback who will leave a mountain of dead money on the books once he’s retired. Even though the Saints will have to work around the cap space still committed to Brees when his playing days are over, the continued rise in the salary cap (set at $198.2 million for 2020) means it won’t be as serious a hurdle as it could have been.

And this deal is even more team-friendly than the structure suggests. Brees could have easily earned $30 million or more per year on the open market, but his decision to settle for just $25 million in annual salary presents something of a discount for the Saints. That valuable capital will do a lot to help them retain their own pending free agents as well as sign veteran additions.

All told: it’s as great a deal as Brees and the Saints could hope to agree on at this stage in his career. Brees gives New Orleans its best chance at winning another Super Bowl, and the unique structure and finances of his contract presents much-needed flexibility against a tight salary cap. Here’s hoping the Saints can send Brees out with another championship celebration parade.

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Taysom Hill prepared to leave the Saints if they don’t view him as a franchise QB

Taysom Hill has reiterated that he views himself as a quarterback, and he’s prepared to leave the New Orleans Saints if they disagree.

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What is Taysom Hill’s position? He’ll tell anyone who will listen that it’s quarterback, but more than half his snaps with the New Orleans Saints came on special teams last year. On offense, his time at receiver and tight end dwarfs his action at quarterback. But he elaborated on his stance during an interview with Rob Maaddi of The Associated Press.

“I definitely view myself as a franchise quarterback,” Hill said. “I think as you look at the other questions: is it New Orleans? Is it somewhere else? As you go into free agency, this is the time that you start to find out how people view you. We haven’t gotten into free agency long enough to really know how these guys view me, and we’ll just handle it as it comes.”

While Hill is only a restricted free agent this year (meaning the Saints will have the option to match any contract offers he receives, or keep him around on a low-cost one-year contract tender), he’s obviously casting an eye to the future. And he has to do that. Hill will be 30 when the 2020 season kicks off, and there’s no guarantee that his body will hold up to continued abuse in his current role — four of his five years at BYU ended with injuries. Unlike the 27-year-old Teddy Bridgewater, he doesn’t have the luxury of biding his time on the bench until the perfect opportunity opens up. There’s a very narrow window for Hill to cash out in, and he knows that.

So while he wouldn’t be happy in having to leave the Saints, it’s a reality Hill has already made his peace with: “I have loved every second of my time (in New Orleans). So do I want to leave? The fact of the matter is no, I don’t. But as you look at free agency, you have to find the right opportunity for you. You have to find the situation to take care of your family. I want to play quarterback in this league, and if New Orleans don’t view me that way, well then I have to leave. That’s really where we’re at.”

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Drew Brees says he’ll decide on NFL future in ‘a month or so’

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees isn’t ready to commit to a return in 2020, choosing to enjoy the Pro Bowl festivities and wait.

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It’ll be the New Orleans Saints or retirement for Drew Brees, the Hall of Fame-bound quarterback who’s played 19 seasons in the NFL. Brees has broken every record in the book during his 14 years with the Saints, and seen each of his four children grow up in New Orleans. With his contract set to expire in March, he knows that a lot of people are waiting for him to decide whether he’ll play one more year — including the Saints themselves, who must also work out new contracts with backups Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill. For his part, Brees is just sorry that he can’t give any better soundbites at this time.

Brees apologized for responding with “the same boring answers each year” during a Saturday media availability session ahead of the 2020 Pro Bowl game. He’s a backup for the NFC team this year, meaning he’ll have to wait for Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson to run the first-string offense in the all-star game before Brees gets his own spot in the limelight. But he’s just content in getting to share the time with his peers and family.

“Obviously being here, I’m just very much focused on my family and this opportunity to be be around the guys, playing the game,” Brees told Nola.com’s Amie Just. “Then, I’ll kind of lay low for a little bit, get away and then assess. I kind of have a process in mind. And I’ll give it a month or so.”

Brees typically spends the offseason in San Diego, taking his children to the beach during the summer while training with former teammates like Darren Sproles and Brandin Cooks, as well as his favorite target, Michael Thomas. Respected opponents like NFC South-rival defensive lineman Gerald McCoy have also joined him for workouts during his West Coast sabbaticals.

So he’ll take some time to decompress from a tough 2019 season, which saw the 41-year-old quarterback set back by a thumb injury to his throwing hand, as well as another crushing postseason exit. There’s no questioning whether Brees played well enough last year to warrant one more run at another Super Bowl title — but it would be easy to square with his thinking if it’s time for him to step away from the game.

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Drew Brees: not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when’ he re-signs with Saints

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees didn’t characterize his pending free agent status as any different than past years at the 2020 Pro Bowl.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sure doesn’t sound like someone who’s ready to call it a day after nearly two decades in the NFL. Brees, 41, is a pending free agent in March and has several potential avenues ahead of him: re-signing with New Orleans, joining a new squad in free agency, or quietly retiring from football. But when asked how he was feeling about his relationship with the Saints — and whether things have changed from his previous stance of staying as long as they’ll have him, Brees may over tipped his hand a little.

“Each one of these contracts, I don’t know how many it’s been, I’ve played with them 14 years. Each one it’s just not a matter of ‘if’ it gets done, it’s ‘when,'” Brees told NFL Network’s Jane Slater during an interview after Thursday’s Pro Bowl practice. “You know obviously at this stage of my career it’s not a given that I’m coming back every year but when that time comes, I’ll always be a Saint.”

That feels like a quarterback who’s preparing for year No. 20 in the NFL, and No. 15 in New Orleans. Brees has been the face of the Saints franchise throughout his tenure, shattering more all-time records than anyone to come before him. With other aging passers like Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and maybe Tom Brady moving on from their old teams, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Brees joined them in what’s looking like a mass exodus. But from the way he’s talking about the situation, fans can probably expect him to compete for one more Super Bowl title before it’s all said and done.

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