In the midst of a chaotic season, the New Orleans Saints are bracing themselves for a daunting task ahead of their Monday night showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. The team’s injury report reads like a laundry list of woes, with five key players ruled out of the contest.
Taysom Hill, the Saints’ dynamic tight end, will sit out his second game of the season due to a rib fracture sustained in last week’s matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Hill’s absence is a significant blow, considering his impressive performance in the same game, where he scored two touchdowns before being forced to exit early.
The Saints will also be without the services of backup linebacker Willie Gay, who is nursing a hand injury, as well as starting right guard Cesar Ruiz, who will miss his second consecutive game with a knee issue. Center Shane Lemieux and defensive end Payton Turner round out the list of sidelined players.
When asked about the lengthy injury report, Saints coach Dennis Allen quipped, “Don’t even get me started.” The team’s depth will be put to the test, particularly along the offensive line, where they may be forced to start center Connor McGovern, a recent signee from the Jets’ practice squad.
Meanwhile, starting linebacker Demario Davis, who missed last week’s game with a hamstring injury, has been cleared to play, along with Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara, who both played through injuries in the previous contest. The team’s kicking situation also received a boost, as Blake Grupe practiced fully after missing Thursday’s session.
In a corresponding move, the Saints waived wide receiver A.T. Perry to make room for McGovern on the roster. Perry, a 2023 sixth-round pick, has yet to see action this season, but coach Allen expressed interest in bringing him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Leave a Reply