Saints plan to start rookie QB Ian Book vs. Dolphins due to COVID-19 issues, per report
Amid a late-season playoff push, the New Orleans Saints are preparing to start a rookie quarterback in a crucial prime-time matchup.
The Saints plan to start Ian Book on Monday night against the Miami Dolphins, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.
Starting quarterback Taysom Hill and backup Trevor Siemian were among the nine Saints players placed on the COVID-19 reserve list Thursday.
Jameis Winston began the year as the Saints' starter but was sidelined for the remainder of the season when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament on Oct. 31. Siemian initially took over and started four games before the team turned to Hill, who has started the last three contests.
Book, the only other quarterback on the Saints' roster, was a fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame in the 2021 NFL draft. He has yet to take a snap in an NFL regular-season game but Saints coach Sean Payton said in late November the team felt "strongly" about how Book had been performing in practices.
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At 7-7, the Saints are tied for the last playoff spot in the NFC field, though they are behind both the Minnesota Vikings and Philadelphia Eagles on tiebreakers.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ian Book: Saints rookie QB to start vs. Dolphins due to COVID issues
