Quietly, one of the biggest issues for the New Orleans Saints coming out of that stunning 47-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 1 was a rash of injuries.
There, the Saints lost big names like tight end Foster Moreau, cornerback Marshon Lattimore and even a starting offensive lineman.
Over the course of the next week of practice, things got even worse, with first-round offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga popping up on the injury report with a back issue.
Now, Fuaga is one of the biggest elements of the final injury report before the Saints take on the Dallas Cowboys on the road. He’s questionable, as is Lattimore, defensive linemen Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey and linebacker Jaylan Ford. Defensive tackle Khalen Saunders and linebacker D’Marco Jackson are both out.
Given that Fuaga was a massive breakout player in his rookie debut, the Saints need him on the field to stand a chance against one of the NFL’s best. Saints head coach Dennis Allen has made it sound like Fuaga might be able to play through the back issue that he dealt with in training camp, too, but it could mean the rookie isn’t 100 percent.
As for Lattimore, Allen made it sound on Thursday like the star corner is a game-time decision, which matches the final designation. He left the opener with a hamstring injury that was initially described as not serious.
So, beyond missing key interior defensive line depth, the Saints might be without a starting left tackle against Micah Parsons and one of the league’s best cornerbacks against Dak Prescott and Co., instead starting rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry.
If nothing else, nobody would be able to discredit the Saints this week if they go into Dallas and win, right?
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