Saints 2022 Training Camp: Top 5 takeaways from Day 13

Day 13 of New Orleans Saints training camp is a wrap! What did we learn about the black and gold as they wrapped up the 13th day of practice?

With the first preseason game slated for Saturday, the New Orleans Saints wrapped up their 13th day of training camp. What takeaways were there to take from Wednesday’s practice?

No Werner

Pete Werner has been nicked up since the start of training camp but he eventually returned to the field and joined his team for practice. On Wednesday, however, Werner was not present at practice due to a groin issue that’s been bothering him.

At this point, I wouldn’t be too panicked about Werner missing time since we’re in the practice portion of the offseason. If we get to the first game of the regular season and he’s still on the shelf, that might be when it’s time to grow more concerned. It also explains why the team has been so desperate to add help at linebacker.

Hill as a returner?

Could Saints fans see a new return specialist in the fold this year? Taysom Hill was reportedly fielding a few kickoffs during the early portions of practice.

If this ends up happening, it really wouldn’t be much of a surprise given Hill’s versatility. He’s already proven that he can be the ultimate offensive weapon so why not throw him out there in the return game and see what the guy can do?

Thomas earns his nickname

It was the Michael Thomas show on Wednesday, as the former second-round pick dazzled during on Day 13 of camp. Luke Johnson tweeted that Thomas burned Paulson Adebo in 1-on-1s and when he scored the touchdown, fans started chanting Thomas’ Twitter handle (Can’t Guard Mike).

It’s been a huge relief to see Thomas back out there looking like the receiver Saints fans knew and loved. He wasn’t that player in 2020 due to injuries and then he missed all of last year and it felt like we might not see that old version of Thomas again. While this is only camp, it’s certainly a good sign to see Thomas thriving.

Red Rifle on fire

With Jameis Winston out for the foreseeable future while he recovers from his foot injury, fans will be seeing a lot of Andy Dalton in training camp and the preseason. Fortunately, the Red Rifle is showing up and wowing the media and fans.

Per Sean Fazende’s tweet above, Dalton connected on four straight touchdown passes and spread the ball around, linking up with Thomas twice, Adam Trautman once, and then Hill to tie a nice bow on things.

Ideally, Winston is healthy and good to go for the regular season opener but Dalton is showing why he’s one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league.

Another fight!

Hey, there was a fight but Trevor Penning wasn’t involved this time! This time, the scuffle was between Taco Charlton and J.P. Holtz and it was apparently bad enough that both gentlemen were kicked out of practice.

Charlton and Holtz are both competing for roster spots so this doesn’t increase their odds of making the team whatsoever. Charlton probably has a better shot due to the Saints valuing depth on their defensive line while Holtz is very far down the tight end depth chart.

On the note of Penning not being involved though, the rookie left tackle has been quiet since he was kicked out of practice last week.

Want your voice heard? Join the Who Dat Dish team!

Write for us!

Day 13 of training camp is in the rearview mirror and we’re three days out from the preseason opener against the Texans!