The New Orleans Saints finally got some great injury news this week, and starting quarterback Derek Carr returned from an oblique injury that sidelined him for three weeks. When New Orleans takes the field on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, Carr will be under center.
Unfortunately, that was the only good news, and the Saints will be without several other key players on Sunday for their Week 9 matchup. Here’s a look at all of New Orleans’ inactives for the game against Carolina.
Saints Week 9 inactives
Player | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|
Marshon Lattimore | Cornerback | Eight |
Kool-Aid McKinstry | Cornerback | Rookie |
Rico Payton | Cornerback | Rookie |
Jamaal Williams | Running back | Eight |
Jaylan Ford | Linebacker | Rookie |
John Ridgeway III | Defensive tackle | Three |
Spencer Rattler | Quarterback | Rookie |
Key absences and their impact
The biggest thing of note is all of the cornerbacks out. Veteran Paulson Adebo is already sidelined for the year, and now, New Orleans will be without the other starters Marshon Lattimore and Kool-Aid McKinstry. Both guys are dealing with hamstring injuries.
Promising depth corner Rico Payton is also out with a back injury. That leaves New Orleans with an incredibly thin group of corners for Sunday’s game. Luckily, Carolina isn’t the most explosive offense, but this lack of corner depth will still provide a challenge for the Saints.
Also of note is the running back depth. Jamaal Williams is inactive, and Kendre Miller was placed on injured reserve again for another hamstring injury. That means Alvin Kamara will once again be asked to carry the load like he has been all season. He will have the help of Taysom Hill, who is still healthy after returning in Week 8.
Not on the injury report, but an important absence for Sunday’s game is wide receiver Bub Means. Means was also placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury, leaving the Saints with a thin lineup of receivers. However, Marquez Valdes-Scantling will make his debut on Sunday.
One final note— with Derek Carr back in the lineup, Spencer Rattler has returned to being the emergency third quarterback. Jake Haener will serve as QB2, and Rattler will be inactive.