Before every game, the New Orleans Saints have been in even tougher battles with the injury report. Since the very first day of training camp, injuries have consistently hit key players on the team. While New Orleans had other issues, those injuries played a big role in the team’s 3-7 record.
Fortunately, as the Saints try to make a run in the second half of the season, they are starting to get healthy. The Week 11 injury report shows multiple players are on track to return on Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
Saints injury report for Week 11
Player (Position) | Injury | Wednesday’s practice status | Thursday’s practice status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lucas Patrick | Ankle | Did not practice | Did not practice |
Pete Werner | Hand | Did not practice | Did not practice |
Jamaal Williams | Groin | Did not practice | Did not practice |
J.T. Gray | Hip | Limited practice | Limited practice |
Jordan Howden | Shoulder | Limited practice | Full practice |
Erik McCoy | Groin | Limited practice | Limited practice |
Kool-Aid McKinstry | Hamstring | Limited practice | Full practice |
Cedrick Wilson Jr. | Shoulder | Limited practice | Limited practice |
Nephi Sewell | Knee | Full practice | Full practice |
The most positive development from Thursday’s injury report is Kool-Aid McKinstry being a full participant. The rookie corner has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 8. With Paulson Adebo sidelined for the year, and Marshon Lattimore traded to the Washington Commanders, McKinstry was the next outside corner expected to step up.
Injury prevented that, but a full practice on Thursday means he will likely be on the field Sunday, able to resume his promising rookie season.
The other name everyone is monitoring is Erik McCoy. The Pro-Bowl center has been sidelined since injuring his groin in Week 3. The offense hasn’t looked the same since he went down, so everyone is awaiting his return.
He finally got back on the practice field ahead of New Orleans’ Week 10 game, but wasn’t ready to play in the game. Now, McCoy has logged two limited practices this week, but it’s still unclear if he’ll be ready for Sunday’s game. He’s still on injured reserve, so if he is ready for Sunday, the team will make the decision to activate him on Saturday. That’s something that all Saints fans will be eagerly awaiting.
With McCoy back in the lineup, at full strength, the offense will be more productive, and New Orleans should be able to string together wins.