Alexander and Davenport are sensitive casualties; Lattimore would play the Panthers on Sunday
FORT WORTH, Texas – The New Orleans Saints will not have seven assistant coaches on Sunday in Carolina due to training protocols. COVID-19 and at least three starters will be lost due to injuries.
Defensive end Marcus Davenport (shoulder) and linebacker Kwon Alexander (elbow) were placed on injured reserve on Friday., which means they will be out of the game for at least three weeks. Center Erik McCoy (calf) and backup linebackers Pete Werner (hamstring) and Chase Hansen (groin) were also ruled out for Sunday’s game.
The Pro Bowl cornerback, Marshon Lattimore will have a chance to play Sunday despite undergoing thumb surgery earlier this week. Lattimore is listed as questionable after practicing on a limited basis Thursday and Friday, and coach Sean Payton said it will likely be a “last-minute decision.”
In the meantime, The coaches were ruled out by the Saints on Friday afternoon after testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week. Offensive line coach Brendan Nugent, wide receiver coach Curtis Johnson, tight end coach Dan Roushar, running back coach Joel Thomas, offensive analyst Jim Chaney, offensive assistant Declan Doyle and special teams assistant Phil Galiano they will miss Sunday’s game.
Payton said all the coaches were vaccinated, so they can return to work once they have two negative tests 24 hours apart. However, apparently that did not happen in time for them to travel this Saturday.
As for injured players, these They are disappointing setbacks for Davenport and Alexander, who have battled a series of injuries throughout their careers.
Alexander had just recovered impressively from an Achilles tendon tear he suffered in December just to start Week 1. He also suffered a pectoral tear with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and a sprained ankle in 2020 before being transferred to the Saints.
Davenport missed a total of 12 games in his first three seasons with the Saints with injuries to his toes, foot and elbow.
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