New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers Wednesday Injury Report
Oct 5, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) scores on a 27-yard run in the third quarter of their game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Following practice at the team facility in Metairie, LA, the New Orleans Saints have released Wednesday’s and the first injury report of the week for both them and the Green Bay Packers. The Black and Gold will host the Green and Gold when the two teams face off during Sunday night’s primetime contest in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The injury report is as follows:
New Orleans Saints:
C Jonathan Goodwin (Knee/Ankle) – Did not practice
RB Khiry Robinson (Forearm) – Did not practice
LB Kyle Knox (Ankle) – Did not practice
RB Pierre Thomas (Shoulder) – Did not practice
CB Keenan Lewis (Knee/Shoulder) – Limited
LB Ramon Humber (Ankle) – Limited
TE Jimmy Graham (Shoulder) – Limited
NT Brodrick Bunkley (Concussion) – Limited
CB Patrick Robinson – Full participant
Green Bay Packers :
S Morgan Burnett (Calf) – Did not practice
DE Datone Jones (Ankle) – Did not practice
CB Sam Shields (Knee) – Did not practice
RB James Starks (Ankle) – Did not practice
Obviously, after giving Jimmy Graham limited time on the field against the Detroit Lions, the smart thing to do is ration his time on the practice field to make sure he’s fresh and good-to-go on Sunday. We all know what happened to Pierre Thomas in Motown, so we’ll have to see if Travaris Cadet can handle the load as a pass catcher out of the backfield for the next 2-3 weeks.
The extent of Jonathan Goodwin‘s injury and timetable for return is still up in the air as far as we know, so that will be something to monitor. The signing of G Eric Olsen, who is also familiar with the center position, makes it seem like a long-term injury is more of a likely scenario.
Khiry Robinson was held out of practice, but it doesn’t seem to be serious — he’s expected a much heavier workload with Pierre sidelined. Keenan Lewis should be a go too this weekend as he’s just getting a little time to get healthy to prepare for an excellent Green Bay receiving corps.
On the Packers’ website, coach Mike McCarthy talked about his four players sidelined on Wednesday. He said Burnett, Starks and Jones (missed last two games) were all moving well during their rehab work.
CB Sam Shields missed last week’s win against the Carolina Panthers, and not having him against the Saints could mean big things for Drew Brees and the offense. McCarthy made it clear that he doesn’t want to keep Shield out against Brees, so “if he’s ready to play, he’ll play.”
A struggling New Orleans team is desperate for a win, so we’ll see if Sean Payton and company can play mistake-free football on Sunday night to get the Saints moving in the right direction again.