Analyzing the final Saints injury report for Week 5 at Patriots
There’s a lot of players listed on the New Orleans Saints injury report his week — but many more New England Patriots players are on the mend. The Saints ruled out three players and said that four more are questionable for Week 5’s game, and the Patriots announced that two of their own have been pre-emptively ruled out due to injuries; with ten others being questionable to play.
If you want a quick look at the injury report, check here. But we’re going to take a deeper dive and find who is out, who is in, and who has a chance to play on Sunday:
Who's out?
Starting TE Juwan Johnson (calf) was ruled out after missing three days of practice this week. He wasn’t listed on the injury report prior to Week 4’s game but aggravated a preseason calf issue during pre-game warmups.
Backup S Lonnie Johnson (hamstring) was also ruled out after missing all three days of practice. He went down during last week’s game and hasn’t been able to return to the field. Johnson plays a key role on special teams, so his absence will be felt.
Backup T Landon Young (hip) is out this week, which is worrisome given the circumstances. Young was limited in Thursday’s practice after participating fully earlier in the week, but he wasn’t able to return on Friday. That might suggest he’s going to miss extended time recovering from this.
For the Patriots, two keystone defenders will be unavailable: CB Christian Gonzalez (shoulder) and LB Matthew Judon (elbow).
Who's in?
Rookie DT Bryan Bresee (illness) missed Wednesday’s practice but returned to participate fully on Thursday and Friday. He’s developing nicely and should be an important player for the Saints on Sunday.
Starting RT Ryan Ramczyk (foot) got his usual rest day on Wednesday, but he was a limited participant on Thursday and was upgraded to full reps on Friday. He hasn’t met his usual standards but could be slowed down by this foot issue.
Starting C Erik McCoy (knee) was limited on Wednesday with a new injury, but he practiced fully later in the week and should be full-go for Sunday.
Two other Saints players were listed on the injury report this week despite practicing fully, meaning they received treatment from the team’s medical staff: TE Foster Moreau (ankle) and S Jordan Howden (finger).
Just one Patriots player was a full participant in practice Friday and is expected to play: RB Ty Montgomery (illness), who was limited earlier in the week before ramping up.
Who has a chance to play?
Backup LG Andrus Peat (concussion) was limited on Friday after clearing concussion protocol, and he has a shot to start this week at his old spot in left guard. The Saints had been starting someone else there, but…
Starting LG James Hurst (ankle) is questionable after being limited Friday, which is concerning. We’ll have to keep a close eye on his status over the weekend. Hurst has been starting ahead of Peat at left guard but he moved to the right side when Cesar Ruiz entered concussion protocol last week. Ruiz returned to practice this week, but the Saints are still thin along the interior if Hurst can’t go.
Starting CB Paulson Adebo (hamstring) is questionable after practicing on a limited basis this week, which was an improvement after he missed some time. Isaac Yiadom has played very well in his absence but the Saints would prefer to start Adebo if he’s available to play.
And starting QB Derek Carr (right shoulder) is again questionable, but he was more active in practice this week while participating on limited snaps after being rested for most of the week last time. Expect him to start on Sunday.
As for the Patriots: ten different players are questionable to play after being limited in practice because of injuries this week. The full list: DL Christian Barmore (knee), DB Cody Davis (knee), DL Trey Flowers (foot), DL Davon Godchaux (ankle), CB Jonathan Jones (ankle), OL Riley Reiff (knee), RB Rhamondre Stevenson (thigh), OG Cole Strange (knee), CB Shaun Wade (shoulder), and OT Trenton Brown (chest), who was a late addition on Friday.
