Which Saints players weren’t spotted at voluntary workouts during OTAs?
The New Orleans Saints will report for a three-day mandatory minicamp this week, beginning Tuesday, June 13, and it’s going to be the first opportunity for local media to put eyes on some players who weren’t available for voluntary workouts earlier this offseason during organized team activities.
Now, it’s possible some of these players were around for practices that weren’t open to the media — reporters were only allowed to observe three of the Saints’ ten workouts at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center, so maybe some players just happened to miss those days. But between injury concerns, personal responsibilities, and, frankly, star player status, some guys haven’t been in the building yet.
84 of the 90 players currently under contract participated in at least one of those three practice dates. Here are the six players who were not reported to be in attendance for any of the voluntary organized team activities open to the media ahead of mandatory minicamp:
Taysom Hill
Hill and his wife recently announced the birth of their second child, so he’s likely been at home doing the dad thing. Dennis Allen has said his role won’t change going into 2023 with Hill keeping the tight end designation while playing a couple of different positions in different packages.
Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore is a perennial Pro Bowler and one of the team’s brightest stars, so between not needing this light work in the spring and the bizarre injury that sidelined him for much of the 2022 season he may have chosen to stay away until attendance is required.
Alvin Kamara
Kamara was recently spotted at a NASCAR race in California ahead of mandatory minicamp, but he’s otherwise stayed out of the spotlight this offseason while his Las Vegas legal proceedings continue following last year’s arrest.
Ryan Ramczyk
Ramczyk is another player with an injury history, having been limited in practice throughout the 2022 season due to a long-lasting knee issue. He’s also missed time with elbow and shoulder injuries, so lightening his workload in the spring to keep him ready for the fall makes sense.
James Hurst
Hurst wasn’t in attendance at the spring’s organized team activities so far, which is noteworthy seeing as he’s competing for the starting job at left tackle. But his absence created opportunities for players behind him on the depth chart like Landon Young to get more practice reps — Trevor Penning should be starting at left tackle this season, but the Saints are exercising an abundance of caution with him after back-to-back foot injuries derailed his rookie season.
Andrus Peat
Peat has durability concerns, most recently ending the 2022 season with an ankle injury, and his starting job also isn’t in danger so he’s probably comfortable staying away from voluntary workouts. He’ll be a free agent in 2024 but for now he’s expected to start at left guard in 2023.
