Tag: Update

Saints’ latest roster move may mean good news for injured Pro Bowler

The New Orleans Saints announced they had waived Connor McGovern, which could mean good news is on the way for Erik McCoy:

The New Orleans Saints announced Monday they had waived Connor McGovern, which could mean good news is on the way for Erik McCoy. McGovern has been the go-to option replacing McCoy at center, and on Sunday he snapped the ball for all 53 of the Saints’ offensive plays. If he clears waivers he should be a safe bet to return on the Saints practice squad.

And McGovern, if you’ll remember, was the offensive lineman the Saints waived wide receiver A.T. Perry to make room for. He wound up logging 369 snaps across six games, five of them starts, and entirely at center.

But back to McCoy. The former Pro Bowler has been out of action with a groin injury that required surgery earlier this season, and the Saints didn’t win a game without him until Sunday’s upset of the Atlanta Falcons. When Klint Kubiak installed his offense McCoy was tasked with adjusting protection before the snap, and the team struggled badly without him.

So this move likely means he’ll be back in the middle this Sunday against the  Cleveland Browns. That gives McCoy an opportunity to get his feet back under him and take advantage of the bye week for extra rest afterwards. He hasn’t been officially activated yet after returning to practice last week, but that does seem to be the way the wind is blowing.

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Wanya Morris injury vs Broncos: Latest news on Chiefs OL

#Chiefs OL Wanya Morris sustained a knee injury against the #Broncos in Week 10. Here are the latest updates.

Today the Kansas City Chiefs are battling the Denver Broncos in an AFC West showdown at Arrowhead Stadium.

During the game, starting left tackle Wanya Morris sustained a knee injury that forced him to leave the field in the first half.

Wanya Morris injury update

After evaluating Morris in the medical tent, the Chiefs downgraded Morris’ status to questionable to return due to a right knee injury. It is unclear how serious his injury is.

How long will Wanya Morris be out?

Ideally, Morris would be able to return in this matchup. But, given the uncertainty about the extent of his injury, it remains unclear exactly how long fans should expect him to be sidelined.

Stay tuned for more details on his condition when the team provides an update.

 

Chiefs LT depth chart

Without Morris Kansas City will rely heavily on rookie left tackle Kingsley Suamataia, who was among the Chiefs’ most impressive players in the preseason. With third-stringer Ethan Driskell out in this matchup, Kansas City is short on depth at left tackle.

Saints rookie Taliese Fuaga dealing with thigh injury vs. Falcons

Rookie New Orleans Saints left tackle Taliese Fuaga was questionable to return against the Atlanta Falcons. He’s fighting through a new thigh injury:

New Orleans Saints rookie left tackle Taliese Fuaga was questionable to return against the Atlanta Falcons, going down with a thigh injury in the first half of the game. He headed to the injury tent shortly after the play.

Fuaga has since returned to the game and New Orleans will hope that the injury does not affect his level off play too much as the Saints are now on one of their most solid trajectories of the season.

The former Oregon State Beavers offensive lineman was selected in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft with the No. 14 overall pick. According to NFL.com, the rookie had a 6.48 overall prospect grade coming out of college, putting him the category of “will become a good starter within two years.” He’s since converted to left tackle from the right side and held down  his starting job through ten games.

The Saints currently lead the Falcons, 10-0 midway through the second quarter.

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Former Wisconsin transfer lineman to miss remainder of 2024 season with Achilles injury

Former Wisconsin transfer lineman to miss remainder of 2024 season with Achilles injury

Former Wisconsin Badgers and current Indiana Hoosiers offensive lineman Drew Evans will miss the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering an Achilles injury, according to a release from the program.

Evans suffered the injury in practice this week leading up to Indiana’s matchup against Michigan. He had played an integral role in Indiana’s 9-0 start to the season, starting all nine games at left guard.

Related: Bye Week Report Card: Grading Wisconsin’s offense and Grading Wisconsin’s defense

The redshirt sophomore lineman transferred to Indiana after initially walking on with the Badgers ahead of the 2022 season. The Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin native followed position coach Bob Bostad, who left Wisconsin for Indiana after the Badgers fired former coach Paul Chryst during the 2022 season.

Evans did not appear in a game in either of his first two collegiate seasons. His play in 2024 as part of Indiana’s strong offensive line has been a big surprise, especially after he won a starting job due to an injury to the projected starter.

Evans’ absence will test Bostad and the depth of his group. Indiana is in the midst of a dream season in year one under new coach Curt Cignetti. It is approaching a College Football Playoff appearance — a result that would mark an unprecedented turnaround after the program’s 3-9 2023 campaign.

Indiana and Michigan will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. Indiana’s offensive line without Evans will be a big story against a top Michigan defensive front.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Saints wide receiver to go on injured reserve, may be done for the year

Multiple reports say Saints wide receiver Chris Olave is expected to go on injured reserve. He may be done for the year after his second concussion in 2024:

This was the development we expected, but that doesn’t make it any less tough to reckon with. The New Orleans Saints are expected to place wide receiver Chris Olave on injured reserve Saturday, per multiple reports — NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill first reported the news, which was confirmed by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

It’s a tough blow to a Saints receiving corps that’s already undermanned with the loss of Rashid Shaheed to season-ending knee surgery. There’s a possibility Olave’s year could be finished, too. He’s suffered two concussions this season and four in his NFL career. That many brain injuries in so short a time may carry serious long-term health ramifications for him.

So keep an eye out. Veteran backup Cedrick Wilson Jr. has been dealing with an injury, too, so the only healthy wideouts on the Saints’ 53-man roster this weekend are Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mason Tipton, and Jermaine Jackson. Expect at least one of Equanimeous St. Brown, Dante Pettis, and Kevin Austin Jr. to be promoted from the practice squad soon.

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How trading Marshon Lattimore impacts the Saints salary cap

How does trading Marshon Lattimore impact the Saints salary cap? There’s little change this year, but they have to take their medicine in 2025:

The New Orleans Saints shifted gears and finally traded star cornerback Marshon Lattimore this week, just before the NFL trade deadline, sending thee playmaker to the Washington Commanders in exchange for multiple draft picks. But that isn’t the only cost of trading him. How did this move impact the Saints’ tense salary cap situation?

In brief, this will be felt for years. There isn’t much of a difference on 2024’s accounting since we’re in the middle of the season. Washington is paying the rest of Lattimore’s salary, saving the Saints about $605,000, but since he restructured his contract already they’re stuck with most of the dead money from those guarantees.

Let’s start with the bad news. The Saints are taking their medicine in 2025 with Lattimore counting against the cap by a whopping $31.6 million. Next year’s salary cap is projected to rise to about $273.3 million, but we won’t know the final number until the offseason. If it doesn’t move at all (it won’t), Lattimore’s dead money figure would take up 12.4% of this year’s cap, which was set at $255.4 million. If models are accurate, it’ll be almost 11.6% of the cap next year in 2025.

But the Saints shaved off more than $28 million from their 2026 salary cap spending. The cap is projected to reach as high as $292.4 million by then, which means their current cap commitments (about $237.9 million) are well beneath the spending limit. Inevitable restructures, free agent signings, and the next draft class will change that figure but so will any retirements and roster cuts this spring. We’re talking two years out so of course there’s going to be a lot of uncertainty.

This is a step in the right direction. The Saints didn’t get better by trading their best defender (if not their best player regardless of position), but their finances are going to improve. So is their ability to retain talent and sign upgrades in free agency. This is what a rebuild looks like. It isn’t pretty, and it won’t wrap up overnight. But the Saints tried the alternative — which blew up in their faces by hiring the wrong head coach and drafting the wrong players. So now they have to take the long, hard road back to success.

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BREAKING: Saints trade Marshon Lattimore to Washington Commanders

BREAKING: Saints trade Marshon Lattimore to Washington Commanders

The New Orleans Saints are trading cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The news comes just before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, and Rapoport adds that the Saints are getting a “premium draft pick” back for the four-time Pro Bowler.

We’ll have to wait and see what that compensation entails, but for now Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry are the future at cornerback in New  Orleans. Paulson Adebo is a free agent in March so the Saints could have two new starters outside for their defense by 2025.

This is a developing story.

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Saints share another positive update regarding Chris Olave’s status

The Saints shared another positive update on Chris Olave’s injury. He’ll fly home with his teammates after a scary concussion:

The New Orleans Saints suffered a tough blow early in their matchup against the Carolina Panthers, as wide receiver Chris Olave suffered a concussion and was sent to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center for evaluation. According to the CBS broadcast and the Saints’ public relations account, Olave was discharged from the hospital and will fly home with the team after the game ends.

“One last Chris Olave update guys, and it’s a good one,” CBS sideline reporter Amanda Balionis said on the broadcast. “He’s on his way back to the stadium and he will be flying home with the team.”

This is an enormously positive sign, as the initial contact and injury most definitely looked very concerning as he went face down onto the field. Thankfully, Olave will be able to travel with the team back to New Orleans. Given his previous history of concussions, it is good to hear he was discharged and was not held for further evaluation.

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Chris Olave carted off after scary hit vs. Panthers

Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Panthers safety Xavier Woods:


This is the worst thing to see in an NFL game. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave was carted off on an immobilizing stretcher after a scary hit from Carolina Panthers safety Xavier Woods. Derek Carr’s pass sailed too high for Olave to catch it and the wideout was sandwiched between Woods and the Panthers defender covering him. He remained motionless on the turf after the collision.

Players from both teams crowded around as the medical staff attended to Olave, as did Saints coach Dennis Allen. It’s an awful situation. Olave raised his arms after he was placed on the cart, which is a great sign, but he’s already suffered three concussions in his brief NFL career. He practiced this  week with a unique Guardian cap over his helmet and considered wearing it into the game, but ultimately chose not to. Few players do.

Hopefully this wasn’t as serious as it looked, but Olave shouldn’t be expected to return to this game against the Panthers. Stay tuned for updates.

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Saints starting cornerback was a street free agent just two weeks ago

From street free agent to starting on Sunday: Recapping the last month for New Orleans Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles

It’s been a busy couple of months for Shemar Jean-Charles. The New Orleans Saints cornerback has bounced on and off of the team’s practice squad after a standout performance during the preseason; if not for rookie sensation Rico Payton, he likely would’ve made the roster outright. Instead, he’s gone from being a street free agent to a game-day starter in a matter of weeks.

Let’s recap his experience. Jean-Charles was waived during final roster cuts on Aug. 27 and re-signed with the Saints practiice squad a few weeks later on Sept. 11, only to be let go again on Oct. 15. His return was announced the next week on Oct. 22, after Paulson Adebo’s season-ending injury. He was promoted to the 53-man roster on Nov. 2, just in time to start in Adebo’s place against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 3.

Not bad for a former late-round draft pick. Payton is dealing with a back  issue and hamstring injuries have sidelined both Marshon Lattimore and  Kool-Aid McKinstry, so Jean-Charles is one of a couple of new faces in the Saints secondary on Sunday. Here’s hoping he makes some plays and hangs tough against a Panthers offense desperate to end their losing streak.

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