Tag: Update

NFL experts are divided, but most pick Saints to handle their business vs. 49ers

The New Orleans Saints are popular among NFL experts picks as a choice to defeat the visiting San Francisco 49ers, but opinions are split.

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The NFL’s Week 14 slate of Sunday games will lead off with the New Orleans Saints’ kickoff against the San Francisco 49ers, and how it turns out might be anyone’s guess. NFL experts are filing their picks from all around the league’s orbit, and there’s so firm consensus this week.

According to the dozens of expert picks surveyed by NFL Pickwatch, 65% of the football cognoscenti expects the Saints to prevail. A healthy 35% of votes are coming in for San Francisco.

That isn’t very encouraging given the result of Thursday Night Football, in which the Dallas Cowboys — picked by 73% of experts — were upset on the road against the Chicago Bears. It’s not often that one team leads its own division (as the Cowboys do, at 6-7) while having their lunch money stolen an opponent ranked third in their respective division (the 7-6 Bears trail both the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings).

Few games are currently being picked with any sense of certainty, with just the Packers (100%), Vikings (99%), Houston Texans (98%), Philadelphia Eagles (95%), and Cleveland Browns (91%) breaking the 90% threshold in each of their matchups. Considering their opponents are a combined 13-46-1, it makes sense that NFL experts might be feeling a little more confident in those games.

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Saints down two starting linebackers on updated Week 14 Saints-49ers injury report

The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers updated the Week 14 injury report, with Saints linebackers Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein resting

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The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers published their second injury report of the week on Thursday ahead of their Week 14 clash. The result of the game could have playoff implications as far as seeding is concerned. Currently the Saints are the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the 49ers sit in the top Wild Card position at No. 5.

A number of key players for New Orleans were designated as not practicing, or participating in a limited capacity on Wednesday’s initial report. Linebackers Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein did not participate on Wednesday while offensive lineman Terron Armstead was limited. None of those statuses changed on Thursday’s injury report, but backup offensive lineman Will Clapp and tight end Jason Vander Laan each turned in a limited practice while managing their own injuries.

The final injury report with game status for certain players will be issued on Friday. Daily changes in practice participation are noted in bold text.

From the Saints

  • LB Kiko Alonso (Thigh) DNP
  • OL Andrus Peat (Forearm) DNP
  • LB A.J. Klein (Knee) DNP
  • OL Terron Armstead (Ankle) Limited
  • FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited
  • OL Will Clapp (Elbow) Limited
  • TE Jason Vander Laan (Head) Limited

From the 49ers

  • WR Dante Pettis (Knee) Limited
  • S Jaquiski Tartt (Ribs) DNP
  • DT Julian Taylor (Knee) DNP
  • DE Dee Ford (Quad/Hamstring) Limited
  • DT D.J. Jones (Ankle) Full
  • TE George Kittle (Knee/Ankle) Limited
  • CB Richard Sherman (Knee) Limited
  • T Joe Staley (Finger) Limited
  • RB Matt Breida (Ankle) Full
  • WR Deebo Samuel (Shoulder) Full
  • WR Emmanuel Sanders (Fibs) Full

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Keith Kirkwood won’t be activated off of Saints injured reserve

The New Orleans Saints will not receive reinforcements at wide receiver with injured second-year pro Keith Kirkwood still on injured reserve

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The New Orleans Saints designated wide receiver Keith Kirkwood to return from injured reserve three weeks ago, but their window to activate him will close without Kirkwood being cleared to play. Nola.com’s Amie Just reported Wednesday that Kirkwood will not be able to suit up again in 2019 after a Week 2 hamstring injury ended his season, despite optimism from Saints coach Sean Payton that the second-year pro would be able to help his team down the stretch.

“He’s doing well,” Payton said in mid-November. “He’s been moving well and running well, so we’ll keep paying attention to that and keep working with him and getting him to where he’s able to play.”

Obviously Kirkwood suffered some sort of setback in his recovery, having first hurt himself in the season-opener against the Houston Texans. He was pulled from that game after coming up lame after a hit, and aggravated his injured hamstring during pregame warmups a week later. It’s disappointing that the Saints won’t be getting any assistance from him as they push towards the playoffs.

Kirkwood clearly has some ability when healthy. He appeared in nine games as a rookie including the playoffs, going 15-of-23 for 217 yards (an average of 14.5 yards per catch), converting 12 first downs and scoring three touchdowns. It’s a shame that injuries have limited his availability early in his career, as he also missed last year’s NFC championship game with a calf problem.

The good news is that next year’s draft class looks terrific at wide receiver, and Kirkwood will have ample time to heal up between now and next summer. Fingers should be crossed in hopes that Michael Thomas can continue balancing the Saints’ world on his shoulders.

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Report: Kiko Alonso ‘day-to-day’ with injury, status in doubt vs. 49ers

New Orleans Saints linebacker Kiko Alonso is reportedly managing a thigh injury on a day-to-day basis, requiring the signing of Manti Te’o.

The New Orleans Saints re-signed linebacker Manti Te’o on Tuesday, following injuries to starters Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein. Te’o started most of the 2017 season for the Saints before improved health in the linebacker corps (and the addition of Demario Davis) sidelined him in 2018, and he’s been a free agent since then.

According to a report from Katherine Terrell of The Athletic, Alonso’s status with a thigh injury isn’t considered a long-term concern. Terrell reported that Alonso is day-to-day at this point and the team isn’t sure whether he will be cleared to play on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. That could change in the next three days after team trainers get the opportunity to administer treatment and reevaluate Alonso’s condition, but in the meantime Te’o gives the Saints an experienced option to add to the depth chart.

Special teamers Craig Robertson and Stephone Anthony were each forced into last week’s game with the Atlanta Falcons after Alonso and Klein went out with injuries; it took a combined 11 snaps from them for the Saints to decide Te’o was needed. Whether Te’o plays on Sunday after being signed on the previous Tuesday is unlikely, but it can’t be ruled out if Alonso misses this 49ers game. Klein’s condition is less clear, and no information is coming out of New Orleans just yet on what’s ailing him. We should learn something when the week’s first injury report is published Wednesday afternoon.

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Terron Armstead week-to-week after high-ankle sprain vs. Panthers

The New Orleans Saints lost starting left tackle Terron Armstead with a high-ankle sprain against the Carolina Panthers, sidelining him.

The New Orleans Saints lost starting left tackle Terron Armstead during Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers to a high-ankle sprain, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning. Armstead is managing his injury on a week-to-week basis and is already ruled out for Thursday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. High-ankle sprains can sideline players for as long as a month, though it’s not uncommon for them to return sooner.

It’s obviously a huge loss for the Saints offensive line. The step down from Armstead to his backup, Patrick Omameh, is as wide a gulf as there can be found in the NFL — when healthy, Armstead is an All-Pro talent and one of the best left tackles in the game. Omameh is a journeyman with more NFL experience at both left and right guard than left tackle. The Saints also have an option in rookie left tackle Ethan Greenidge, an undrafted free agent out of Villanova who has been a healthy inactive all year.

This injury compounds a bigger issue for the Saints offensive line, which is the absence of starting left guard Andrus Peat. Peat is expected to miss about four more weeks after having his broken arm surgically repaired. He’s normally the top option to fill in for Armstead at left tackle, but he’s off the table and replaced by backup left guard Nick Easton.

Hopefully things stabilize for the Saints soon, but for now, it appears they’re going into the late-season stretch with both their starting left tackle and left guard sidelined by injuries. Their next opponent is the Atlanta Falcons, who sacked quarterback Drew Brees six times just a few weeks ago, when both Armstead and Peat were in the lineup. New Orleans has to make some quick adjustments on the fly.

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Terron Armstead injured, questionable to return vs. Panthers

New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead injured his ankle and is questionable to return to play versus the Carolina Panthers.

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The New Orleans Saints offensive line took another hit early against the Carolina Panthers, with left tackle Terron Armstead injured his ankle during the first quarter. Armstead walked off the field slowly under his own power before riding a medical staff cart into the locker room. An announcement from the team updated his status as questionable to return to the game.

In his place, the Saints called up veteran  backup Patrick Omameh, who has spent most of his time in the NFL at left or right guard. The Saints were already starting a backup next to Armstead in Nick Easton, who was filling in for injured starter Andrus Peat. Ironically, Peat is normally the go-to option to replace Armstead, but he’s going to be out about four more weeks after breaking his arm against the Atlanta Falcons.

This injury to Armstead has been one of the few problem areas on offense for the Saints against Carolina. They have otherwise avoided mistakes and converted on tough downs, ending two of their first three drives with touchdown scores (including a 26-yard run by Latavius Murray and a 13-yard pass to Tre’Quan Smith). That third drive ended with a punt, which the Saints were fortunate to recover.

Armstead’s status is officially questionable to return, so he hasn’t been ruled out entirely. Stay tuned for an update to his situation.

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Saints injury report: Marshon Lattimore questionable vs. Panthers

The New Orleans Saints injury report ruled out WR Deonte Harris, but CB Marshon Lattimore is questionable against the Carolina Panthers.

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The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers released their final injury report ahead of Week 12’s kickoff, including game status expectations for several recently-injured players. The Saints will again be without key contributors like wide receiver Deonte Harris, who is battling a hamstring injury.

However, cornerback Marshon Lattimore is questionable to play, having practiced Friday on a limited basis. Hamstring issues can linger and only really improve with rest, so sitting each of them makes sense with New Orleans scheduled to play two games in five days (Sunday with the Panthers, the following Thursday against the Atlanta Falcons). Fullback Zach Line is also ruled out for Sunday after resting during practice all week with a knee injury, but tight end Josh Hill is expected to play after suffering a mild concussion a week ago.

Here’s what we learned on Friday’s injury report:

From the Saints

  • OL Andrus Peat (forearm), Did not participate, Out
  • CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring), Did not participate, Questionable
  • WR Deonte Harris (hamstring), Did not participate, Out
  • FB Zach Line (knee), Did not participate, Out
  • TE Josh Hill (concussion), Full
  • OL Larry Warford (thigh), Full
  • WR Austin Carr (ankle), Did not participate
  • OL Ryan Ramczyk (knee), Full

From the Panthers

  • CB Ross Cockrell (quad), Limited, Questionable
  • DT Gerald McCoy (knee), Full
  • OL Dennis Daley (groin), Full, Questionable
  • S Eric Reid (knee), Full
  • LB Shaq Thompson (ankle), Full
  • LB Brian Burns (wrist), Full, Questionable
  • OL Greg Little (knee), Full

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Second-half Saints schedule sets up for a strong playoff push

The New Orleans Saints strength of schedule is mediocre. The Green Bay Packers have it easy but the San Francisco 49ers are in for a shock.

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The second half of the NFL regular season is upon us, and it couldn’t have started worse for the New Orleans Saints. They air-balled what should have been an easy win over the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday, losing their grip on the second playoff seed in the NFC as the Green Bay Packers beat the Carolina Panthers and the top-ranked San Francisco 49ers suffered their first setback of the year to the Seattle Seahawks.

But Saints fans should feel optimistic about their fortunes moving forward, and their team’s chance to recover. New Orleans has just four games against opponents with winning records, including the 49ers (8-1), Panthers twice (5-4), and Indianapolis Colts (5-4), as well as the middling Tennessee Titans (5-5). There’s plenty of time for correction and improvement ahead of them.

According to NFL Research, the Saints’ second half schedule ranks near the middle of the pack, with their remaining opponents sharing a combined record of 33-31-0 (.516). Here’s how they rank among their peers:

Compare that to what other NFC playoff contenders are facing. The San Francisco 49ers are set to play the second-toughest schedule down the stretch, with their future opponents having gone 40-25-1 (.614); their odds of holding onto the top playoff seed in the conference are slim. However, the Green Bay Packers are in good position to maintain their one-game lead on the Saints in playoff seeding, with a relatively weak strength of schedule of 25-30-1 (.455) ahead of them. That’s the ninth-easiest second half schedule in the NFL.

As for the two-team race in the NFC South: the Carolina Panthers are still a few games behind the Saints, but their remaining strength of schedule at 32-32 (.500) is slightly easier to navigate than what New Orleans will see. If Carolina handles its business and the Saints continue to play down to their competition, it’s not impossible to see a path for the Panthers to steal a divisional title in the season’s final weeks. If New Orleans plays like they did last Sunday, they could be in for a rude awakening no matter how favorable their schedule looks on paper.

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Saints lose ground on reeling 49ers in the latest NFL power rankings

The New Orleans Saints fell in the latest NFL power rankings, trailing the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and Baltimore Ravens.

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The New Orleans Saints took a fall in the latest NFL power rankings from Doug Farrar over at Touchdown Wire, slipping from the No. 3 spot to No. 4 after an ugly home upset to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday. And it couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers suffering their first loss of the year. If the Saints had handled their business, they could have seized the top spot in the NFC. Now, they’re behind both the 49ers and Green Bay Packers, with seven games left to play.

Here’s some of what Farrar wrote about the Saints’ underwhelming day against Atlanta, and what he’s looking for out of them in the coming weeks:

Does this game portend larger issues, or was it an anomaly? The Saints have struggled with slow starts this season, and their offensive line is struggling with ineffectiveness, perhaps exacerbated by injuries. The most disconcerting injury right now, though, is the hamstring strain suffered by top cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore is week to week at this point, and the Saints next face a Buccaneers offense that knows how to exploit weakened secondaries

The 49ers are still ranked above the Saints in Farrar’s power rankings, but barely. The New England Patriots are sandwiched in between both of them, and the only team to have beaten New England this year — Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens — owns the No. 1 spot. It’s easy to see a path for the Saints to make a late bid for the highest spot in these power rankings, but they need to rebound in a big way after the speedbump they hit on Sunday.

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