Just days into camp, Saints already have a lot of key guys dealing with injuries

The New Orleans Saints are entering the 2024 season with their backs against the wall. To prevent the franchise from blowing things up and entering a rebuild, the team needs to have a good season and prove to be serious contenders. If that’s going to happen, health needs to be on New Orleans’ side.

Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for the team just a week into training camp. Since day one, the Saints have had several key players go down with injuries. Running back Kendre Miller has missed practices with a hamstring injury, cornerback Marshon Lattimore has missed days with a hip flexor injury, guard Nick Saldiveri has been out with an injury, and most recently, Chris Olave left practice early with a hip injury.

Three of those players are starters, and the fourth, Miller, was expected to have a nice role for the team. Those things can only happen if they are healthy.

Chris Olave and Marshon Lattimore among injured Saints players in training camp

From what’s been reported, none of these injuries seem to be severe. Additionally, with over a month until the regular season, the players should be ready for opening week. Still, it’s never good when players— especially key players —have to miss time in camp because if injuries.

Those days missed are important days where players can be improving and getting into their rhythm. Missing time in camp could lead to a slow start to the season, and the Saints certainly can’t afford that. The team plays it’s toughest games in the first six weeks of the season, so New Orleans needs to start the year rolling.

Additionally, minor injuries in camp, that aren’t a big deal, could become nagging injuries throughout the season, or lead to something more severe. That would obviously be the worst-case scenario for the Saints.

It’s still early, and these players could return to camp soon and have great seasons. However, it’s never great when key players are watching training camp from the sideline, trying to get healthy.

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