Key injury updates ahead of Saints-Panthers matchup
The New Orleans Saints are currently 11th in the NFC's playoff race and they have an 18% chance to make the postseason, so they're going to need all the help they can get over these last five games.Some big injury updates came in overnight, starting with star wideout Chris Olave, who is expected to play, […]
The New Orleans Saints are currently 11th in the NFC's playoff race and they have an 18% chance to make the postseason, so they're going to need all the help they can get over these last five games.
Some big injury updates came in overnight, starting with star wideout Chris Olave, who is expected to play, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Olave has been battling an illness all week long, but should be good to go. Rashid Shaheed, 2023's breakout weapon, is not expected to play, however.
Derek Carr has been battling injuries all year long and will play this week after being listed on the Saints injury report with concussion, rib, and shoulder ailments. Taysom Hill, the team's Swiss Army knife, is not expected to play, though. That's a really big blow to the Saints offense. Even though he plays multiple positions, the Saints have him listed at QB on their official roster, but either way, he brings a unique element to the offense that can provide a spark at any moment.
Hill dealt with foot and hand injuries all week long, but even though he didn't practice all week long, he was still listed as questionable on the final injury report.
Also, per Schefter, Juwan Johnson is expected to play this week.
The Panthers are easily one of the NFL's worst teams, but they have a decent defense, despite what the overall numbers say. Ejiro Evero is a very respected defensive coordinator and will certainly have a good game plan in store for the Saints offense. So, it's important they have as many of their top players available, as possible.
It's a bittersweet situation, as Olave and Johnson will go, but Hill and Shaheed won't. The Saints offense will certainly be less explosive on Sunday, but it still has enough to get the job done.
