We’ve got our first look at the New Orleans Saints injury report going into Week 12’s game with the Atlanta Falcons, but the bye week doesn’t appear to have cleared it up. Two players were unavailable for Wednesday’s first practice session — starting right tackle Taliese Fuaga (ankle) and veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks (not injury related), who was granted his release after asking for it.
Running back Alvin Kamara followed the same pattern we’ve seen over the last month by being limited with an ankle injury in the week’s first practice. Two other players worked fully while dealing with ankle injuries of their own, including star wide receiver Chris Olave and backup tight end Jack Stoll. Offensive tackle Barry Wesley (hip) practiced fully while working his way back from injured reserve. Expect him to be called up this week.
It’s a different story for the Falcons injury report. Atlanta listed six players as non-participants to start the week, while six others were limited due to injuries. Four more practiced on a limited basis as a rest day. The only player listed on the Falcons injury report as a full participant was cornerback Mike Hughes (neck). This is a beaten-up team coming off a hard-to-swallow overtime loss. If the Saints can’t take care of business against them, they’ll do deserve to lose.