Saints have COVID outbreak, key injuries with Patriots game approaching
The New Orleans Saints are dealing with injuries to key players and a COVID-19 outbreak just 12 days before a road game against the Patriots.
On Monday, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that pass-rusher Marcus Davenport suffered a pectoral strain and will “miss some time, but should be back sooner than later.” On Tuesday, Rapoport reported that cornerback Marshon Lattimore is “week-to-week” after undergoing surgery to repair a chipped bone in his thumb.
The injuries have also hit the Saints offense. According to Mike Garafolo, starting center Erik McCoy is “expected to miss some time” with a strained calf.
Now, COVID has invaded the Saints’ facilities. As reported Wednesday by Adam Schefter, the team has a total of eight positive tests, which includes six offensive coaches, one player, and one nutritionist. A Saints source told Schefter that “We’ll be just fine.”
The status for all the ailing players seems doubtful for the Saints’ game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. But the injuries, especially, have potential to spill over to Week 3, when the Saints come to Gillette Stadium to play the Patriots.
Lattimore, a first-round pick in 2017, was named to the Pro Bowl in 2017, 2019, and 2020. He was also named to the NFL’s annual Top-100 players list in 2020 and 2021. Davenport, also a former first-round pick from 2018, logged a sack, a quarterback hit, and two tackles for a loss in a 38-3 blowout win over the Green Bay Packers.
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Matt Dolloff is a writer and podcaster for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Yell at him on Twitter @mattdolloff and follow him on Instagram @mattydsays. You can also email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
