You know the regular season is close now that the New Orleans Saints have released their first injury report of the 2024 season.?
Four Saints players were held out of practice Wednesday, and three more were limited on the first report. Linebacker Pete Werner (shoulder) was listed as a full participant.?
Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (calf), tight end Dallin Holker (ankle) and linebackers D'Marco Jackson (calf) and Jaylan Ford (hamstring) were all held out of practice.?
Of the group, Saunders was expected to play the biggest role this season. Saunders hasn't participated in practice since the team's final training camp session August 23. To brace for him not being available for the start of the season, New Orleans traded for defensive tackle John Ridgeway III last week.?
Though he was listed as a limited participant, linebacker Willie Gay (back) returned to practice Wednesday after missing Monday's session.?
Joining Gay as limited participants were defensive back Marshon Lattimore (hip) and offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri (calf). Both of those players missed a majority of training camp with their injuries.?
Notably, rookie defensive back Kool-Aid Mckinstry was not listed on the injury report. McKinstry injured his knee in the final preseason game.?
For the Panthers, offensive tackle Yoshua Nijman (tibia) and running back Miles Sanders (finger) were limited, while tight ends Ian Thomas (calf) and Tommy Tremble (back/hamstring) did not participate.?