Whew. We’ve seen the New Orleans Saints get away without many big groups on the injury report this season — helped by a controversially light practice schedule — but that isn’t the case in Week 17. The Saints listed a whopping 11 players on the injury report ahead of this Sunday’s game with the Tennessee Titans, who are also nicked up. Tennessee has 10 players on their injury report. Here’s what you need to know.
Six different Saints players did not practice on Wednesday: defensive tackles Davon Godchaux (given his usual day off for veteran’s rest) and Bryan Bresee (already ruled out this week with a knee injury), plus running back Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) as well as tight ends Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee) and Foster Moreau (also preemptively ruled out with an ankle).
Two others were limited, between defensive tackle Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee) and wide receiver Mason Tipton (groin). And three more Saints players practiced fully while receiving treatment. That last group included wide receiver Chris Olave (back), swing tackle Asim Richards (ankle), and quarterback Tyler Shough (hip).
What about the Titans? Cornerback Marcus Harris (knee) didn’t practice, but five players were limited and four more practiced fully. Those working with limitations included cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (Achilles), tight end Gunnar Helm (toe), defensive end Sebastian Joseph-Day (calf), outside linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo (fibula), and guard Kevin Zeitler (groin). Full participants were running back Julius Chestnut (back), outside linebacker Ali Gaye (knee), linebacker Cedric Gray (concussion), and wide receiver Bryce Oliver (knee).
Saints players have the day off tomorrow in observance of Christmas Day, so we’ll get a better idea of everyone’s game status after they regroup for practice on Friday.