New Orleans Saints Rumors: NFL preseason cut down to two games

The NFL, the Saints included, is reportedly shortening its preseason down to two games in response to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic that continues to alter the sports landscape.

For those who were excited to get an early sneak peek at the New Orleans Saints this season, they will have to wait a couple more weeks in order to see their team. Multiple reports are confirming the NFL will have a shortened preseason as they are cutting the number of games in half from 4 to 2.

The NFL has previously announced they were canceling the annual Hall of Fame Game that was previously scheduled to be played on August 6th between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.

As far as the Saints are concerned, the two preseason games still on the schedule will be at Pittsburgh on August 23rd followed by a home game against the Houston Texans on August 29th.

The two games that are being canceled will be an away game versus the Los Angeles Rams and a home game versus the Miami Dolphins. Training camps are still slated to open on time on July 28th.

While many NFL veterans and media personalities have often lamented the necessity of four preseason games, coaches understand the value of properly evaluating players for roster spots.

No doubt having less film study on players will make eventual final roster cuts difficult, but the teams will have almost a month from camp opening to the 1st preseason game to get a gauge on what players are slated to make the cut.

The league has also banned joint team practices this offseason as well.

While the NFL is still planning to play the full 16-game regular season, this pandemic has shown nothing is for certain. Whether any further changes will manifest remains to be seen. Check back here for further updates if anything new develops.