By Ross Jackson

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Saints had some promising news on Thursday with one of the team’s top offensive weapons making it back to action on the practice field. 

Here is the information from Thursday’s injury report:

New Orleans Saints

Did Not Participate

T Taliese Fuaga (ankle)

RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)

S Justin Reid (knee)

S Jonas Sanker (head)

Limited Participation

WR Chris Olave (back)

With Olave returning to practice, it looks like Wednesday’s absence may have been more about management of his back ailment than anything more. Olave remains on pace to set career highs in several major receiving statistics and now he looks to have another strong running mate beside him with wide receiver Devaughn Vele putting up a strong performance against the Miami Dolphins last week. Seeing Olave back on Thursday is likely to have prompted some reasonable sighs of relief on Airline Drive.

On the other hand, rookie safety Sanker’s addition to the injury report may have the same folks holding their breath. Especially on a defense that may also be without Reid, who is managing a knee injury from Sunday’s matchup with Miami. Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was asked for more information about Sanker’s injury, but the coach understandably chose to defer the sharing of those details until head coach Kellen Moore is available to speak again on Friday.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Did Not Participate

T Tristan Wirfs (oblique)

Limited Participation

WR Mike Evans (IR) (collarbone)

WR Jalen McMillan (IR) (neck)

Full Participation

WR Chris Godwin Jr. (fibula)

RB Bucky Irving (shoulder)

QB Baker Mayfield (left shoulder)

CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring)

OLB Haason Reddick (ankle)

S Rashad Wisdom (IR) (quad)

Now that the Buccaneers have made it to the practice field after an estimated walkthrough practice on Wednesday, there is more information to glean. Irving, Mayfield and Godwin were all upgraded from limited to full, but another big name hasn’t yet seen progress in Wirfs.

The team’s starting left tackle and one of it’s best players in totality has remained out for a second-consecutive day. With the Saints’ defense progressively getting better each week, particularly the pass rush, that could be a major loss for the Buccaneers. Friday’s injury report will provide game designations and Wirfs’ name will be the first many Tampa and New Orelans fans will be looking to see.