New Orleans Saints: Team Returning Several Key Players From Injury Just In Time For Giants Showdown

With a looming match-up against the New York Giants the Saints need every possible body healthy and playable.

The early bye week couldn’t have come at a better time, although some argue a bye later in the season is more beneficial especially for a playoff bound team.

An extra week off has allowed more than a few players to get back on the healing track.

Rod Harper, the former Arkansas Twister wide receiver, is the only exception as he was placed on injured reserve early this week after battling a stress fracture in his foot.

That move was essentially done so the team could make room for rookie quarterback Chase Daniel on the active roster.

Those returning from injury include RB Mike Bell, WR Lance Moore, TE Darnell Dinkins, Tackle Jermon Bushrod, LS Jason Kyle, DT Kendrick Clancy, CB Malcolm Jenkins and G Jahri Evans.

Bell’s return will mark the first time the team has entered a game this season with a fully healthy backfield which presents a unique problem in how to split the carries.

Pierre Thomas should be the “primary” back for the Giants showdown but expect the Saints to interchange Bush, Bell and Thomas throughout the game.

Fresh legs can kill a defense after all, especially in the all important fourth quarter.

Strangely Lance Moore has been used rather sparingly thus far but should see an expanded role as the third receiver against the Giants.

Apparently Moore hasn’t been as close to one hundred percent healed after his off season shoulder injury as originally thought, but the extra week has helped him get close.

Darnell Dinkins is considered the Saints best blocking tight end and should provide a boost to an already elite running game.

Dinkins injured his foot in the pre-season and has  yet to play in a regular season game as  a Saint up until now.

Starting NT Kendrick Clancy has been out since week one with a knee injury and instantly upgrades the defensive line with his return, just in time for Bradshaw and company.

All in all this is the healthiest the Saints have been to date, possibly ever, and couldn’t have come at a better time as the Giants come to town in a battle of the un-defeated.

This one should be real good, you ready Saints fans?