Saints Rookie Watch: Payton Turner and Paulson Adebo’s Week 2 performances

The New Orleans Saints needed their rookies to step up in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers, and they did. It was the veterans who didn’t do enough, as well as the fault of the Saints’ offensive system that looked pitifully toothless in Sunday’s loss.

Had the Saints won against Carolina, we would never question Sean Payton, Dennis Allen, or any of the other New Orleans coaches ever again. It would have truly been a magic show like no other, one in which this Saints team that had no business beating the Packers also beat CMC and the much healthier, better-coordinated Panthers. (We saw Jackson and the Ravens accomplish this very feat last night against Kansas City.)

But alas, the only show we were treated to was the disappearing act of Jameis Winston. The Saints’ offense had no excuse for the way they played. At least the defense did.

On the defensive end, New Orleans were already struggling due to the vast number of injured players: Chase Hansen, Pete Werner, Marcus Davenport, and Kwon Alexander were ruled out before the game. Marshon Lattimore ended up sidelined, too, as were Tanoh Kpassagnon and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who were all questionable going into Week 2.

Here’s where rookies Payton Turner and Paulson Adebo came in. In Davenport’s and Lattimore’s place stood two extremely unproven saplings. Neither Turner nor Adebo could have predicted this quick of a transition to the pro league, but this was a moment of urgency, and it was up to the rookies to seize the moment.

Read on to find out how well they fared against the big cats of the NFC South.