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Jake Haener Jake Haener Diagnosed with skin cancer
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 1:40 PM
Haener revealed Friday that he has a rare form of skin cancer on his face and will have an evaluation Thursday to determine his treatment plan moving forward, Mike Triplett of New Orleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Haener added that the condition isn't believed to be life-threatening, but he is still determining whether to put off treatment. If Haener opts to put off treatment, he would likely continue to compete against rookie fifth-round draft pick Spencer Rattler for the backup quarterback job behind Derek Carr throughout training camp and the preseason. |
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Kendre Miller Kendre Miller Injures hamstring at practice
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 1:16 PM
Miller exited the Saints' first training camp Wednesday due to a hamstring injury , Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: The severity of Miller's injury remains uncertain, but it's an unfortunate start to camp for the 2023 third-round pick. Head coach Dennis Allen said bluntly that Miller is "going to have to figure out how to stay healthy," adding that "it's hard to make the team from the training room," per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com. Injuries have been a recurring issue for Miller in his short NFL career, as he was limited to just eight appearances as a rookie. If he can get back on the field without missing much of camp, Miller could have the opportunity to push for increased work behind Alvin Kamara, though Jamaal Williams currently looks like the frontrunner for the No. 2 role. |
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Chris Olave Chris Olave No limitations at practice
Wed, Jul 24, 2024, 1:06 PM
Olave (shoulder) participated Wednesday in the first day of Saints training camp without limitations, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Olave's involvement in practice means that he's passed his physical and has been activated from the active/non-football injury list, while his lack of limitations is an indication that he's fully over the shoulder issue that relegated him to a non-contact jersey during spring activities. The Saints' No. 1 wideout will work to solidify his chemistry with Derek Carr throughout training camp, with the hope of making a true Year 3 leap. A healthier season from Carr could be all Olave needs to upgrade his production in new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's scheme. |
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Chris Olave Chris Olave To practice Wednesday
Tue, Jul 23, 2024, 5:25 PM
Coach Dennis Allen said Tuesday that Olave (shoulder), who was placed on the active/non-football injury list last week, will practice in part Wednesday, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: Olave looks set to come off the NFI list Wednesday, so it looks like he's nearly recovered from the shoulder injury that forced him to wear a non-contact jersey earlier this spring. The Saints are likely taking a cautious approach to the third-year wideout's recovery, given his status as a lynchpin of the receiving game. Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara reported to training camp Tuesday and is also expected to practice Wednesday, despite being disgruntled by his lack of a long-term deal with New Orleans. |
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Alvin Kamara Alvin Kamara Reports for training camp
Tue, Jul 23, 2024, 2:07 PM
Kamara, who skipped the final day of minicamp back in June, is present for training camp Tuesday, Luke Johnson and Matthew Paras of NOLA.com report.
Analysis: Kamara skipped the final day of June's mandatory minicamp due to apparent dissatisfaction with his current contract, but he won't risk incurring fines by skipping training camp. The veteran running back, who turns 29 this Thursday, is effectively heading into the final year of his contract, as there's little conceivable scenario wherein the Saints take on the $29 million cap hit he's due in 2025. Kamara has now put together three straight seasons with a 4.0 or worse YPC mark, but he's kept his fantasy value afloat via work in the receiving game, having tallied 75 receptions through just 13 games last year. He again projects for a high-usage role in 2024, with Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams behind him on the depth chart. |
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Rashid Shaheed Rashid Shaheed Gets extension from Saints
Sat, Jul 20, 2024, 3:40 PM
Shaheed and New Orleans agreed to a one-year, $5.2 million contract extension Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Shaheed earned the extension partly due to his work as a punt returner after he garnered his first career All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections as a special-teamer last season. The 25-year-old also showed growth as a wide receiver, finishing with 46 catches for 719 yards and five touchdowns over 15 regular-season contests, eight of which he started. Shahid should get the opportunity to further develop in that role during the upcoming campaign, as he's slated to work as the Saints' No. 2 receiving option behind Chris Olave (shoulder). |
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Bub Means Bub Means Off active/NFI list
Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 7:12 PM
The Saints activated Means from the active/NFI list Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Means moved to the list Tuesday. The Saints picked Means in the fifth round of the 2024 Draft after he caught 41 passes for 721 yards and six touchdowns during his final collegiate season in 2023. Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are New Orleans' top two wide receivers, but the depth chart is pretty open beyond them. |
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Juwan Johnson Juwan Johnson Lands on PUP list ahead of camp
Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 4:03 PM
The Saints placed Johnson (foot) on the active/PUP list Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Johnson remains sidelined while recovering from foot surgery relating to an issue he seemingly suffered during June minicamp. Terrell reports that updates on Johnson's recovery have been positive, but that he's expected to begin camp by working off to the side. Once cleared to practice Johnson will be eligible to come off the PUP list at any point during camp or the preseason, but it remains to be seen whether he'll be ready for Week 1. Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill figure to handle more first-team reps while Johnson is away from the practice field, while Jesper Horsted, Tommy Hudson, Michael Jacobson and Dallin Holker could also benefit from increased opportunities. |
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Chris Olave Chris Olave Placed on NFI list by New Orleans
Thu, Jul 18, 2024, 3:58 PM
The Saints placed Olave (shoulder) on the active/non-football injury list Thursday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Olave continues to work his way back from a shoulder injury sustained while weight training this offseason, and for which he spent OTAs in a non-contact jersey. While the issue seems minor, and Olave will be able to come off the NFI list at any point in training camp once cleared, his status will be worth monitoring. The 2022 first-round pick has just over three weeks to get healthy ahead of New Orleans' preseason opener against the Cardinals. OIave is coming off back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons to begin his NFL career and is positioned nicely as a potential third-year breakout candidate, especially as the clear No. 1 target in a wide receiver room that also includes Rashid Shaheed, Cedrick Wilson and A.T. Perry, but that's assuming he's indeed able to return to full health without missing much time. |
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Bub Means Bub Means Sent to NFI list
Tue, Jul 16, 2024, 6:00 PM
The Saints placed Means (undisclosed) on the active/non-football injury list Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
Analysis: Means' injury remains undisclosed, but Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports that the issue isn't overly serious and that he's expected to be back in action before long. The rookie fifth-round pick will be eligible to come off the NFI list at any point during training camp or the preseason, as soon as he's cleared to resume practicing. |
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Jesper Horsted Jesper Horsted Secures deal with Saints
Fri, Jun 14, 2024, 8:17 PM
New Orleans signed Horsted to a contract Friday.
Analysis: Horsted finished last season on the Raiders' injured reserve list due to a hamstring issue, but he's presumably now healthy. The tight end was limited mostly to special-teams work with Las Vegas in 2023, logging eight offensive snaps and catching his only target for four yards while recording 216 special-teams snaps. Horsted's signing will help fill the void left by Juwan Johnson's foot injury. Johnson is set for surgery but could still be ready for the start of the regular season. |
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Alvin Kamara Alvin Kamara Skips final minicamp practice
Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 12:39 PM
Kamara did not participate in New Orleans' final practice of mandatory minicamp Thursday, though he was present at team facilities, Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Kamara's absence Thursday appears to be contract related, as he currently has two years remaining on his deal with the Saints. Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that while Kamara is seeking an extension with the team, not much progress has been made. The veteran running back has surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage in seven consecutive seasons, and his versatility remains instrumental to this offense. However, as he heads into his age-29 season, New Orleans could hesitate to re-up on a long-term commitment. Any time missed by Kamara this offseason will open reps up for 2023 third-round pick Kendre Miller as well as incumbent backup Jamaal Williams. |
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Dallin Holker Dallin Holker Opportunity knocks
Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 10:49 AM
Holker, who signed a one-year contract with $235,000 guaranteed with the Saints after the 2024 NFL Draft, is a name to monitor with Juwan Johnson (foot) in need of surgery, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Holker's odds of earning a roster spot improve substantially with Johnson facing a long period on the sidelines, and not being a guarantee to be ready for Week 1. Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill will likely handle the majority of first-team reps this offseason with Johnson recovering, but neither are a perfect match for his pass-catching role. Holker, though, is a clear move tight end and racked up a 64-767-6 receiving line in his senior season at Colorado State. |
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Taysom Hill Taysom Hill Restructures contract
Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 9:42 AM
Hill agreed to restructure his contract Tuesday, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It's a simple restructure, converting 2024 base salary into a signing bonus to push some of his cap hit from the current season into future years. Early reports from training camp suggested new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was giving Hill more chances as a running back or fullback, but Hill could now see a lot of snaps at tight end following Thursday's announcement that Juwan Johnson will need foot surgery. The Saints hope Johnson will be ready by Week 1, but it sounds like far from a sure thing. Either way, it may be tough to get a good read on Hill's role under a new coordinator until the season is actually underway. |
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Juwan Johnson Juwan Johnson Needs foot surgery
Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 8:50 AM
Johnson will have foot surgery next week and be out for a while, but he has a chance to be ready for the start of the season, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Johnson seemingly suffered the injury during June minicamp and now figures to miss most or all of training camp and the preseason. His upcoming absence will leave more first-team reps for Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill, neither of whom is a clean fit for Johnson's role as the passing-down tight end. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports that the Saints are working out TE Sal Cannella, who starred in the UFL this spring and led the league's tight ends in yards (496) and touchdowns (six). |
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Juwan Johnson Juwan Johnson Injures lower leg
Thu, Jun 13, 2024, 8:12 AM
Johnson recently suffered a lower leg injury and is expected to miss "a good amount of time," Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Details on the injury haven't been reported, with Underhill only noting that he hasn't heard that the injury will impact Johnson's availability for the start of the regular season. It sounds like Johnson may not be ready for the start of training camp, in which case Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill likely would get more snaps with the first-team offense. A calf injury cost Johnson four games last season, and he generally had a quiet year until exploding over the final four weeks for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 24 targets. Prior to that, he had 152 yards and one TD in nine games. |
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Alvin Kamara Alvin Kamara Reports for minicamp
Tue, Jun 11, 2024, 4:09 PM
Kamara (ankle) participated in the initial practice of the Saints' mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Kamara wasn't present for most of the team's offseason program, but his presence this week indicates he's healthy after missing Week 18 of last season due to an ankle injury. While he managed to surpass 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the seventh consecutive campaign in 2023, his 1,160 yards marked the lowest total of his career, partly due to missing the first three games of the campaign due to a suspension. He'll again have to contend with Jamaal Williams and even Taysom Hill for short-yardage and goal-line work, but Kamara doesn't have much competition for reps otherwise. He's poised for a busy role in New Orleans' new-look scheme under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. |
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Chris Olave Chris Olave Dealing with minor shoulder injury
Wed, Jun 5, 2024, 2:07 PM
Olave injured his shoulder in the weight room a few weeks ago and has been wearing a no-contact jersey at practice, Matthew Paras of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: It's seemingly a minor injury, considering Olave has been a full practice participant while wearing the red, no-contact jersey. He should be fine for the start of training camp in late July, at which point he'll be the clear centerpiece of the Saints' passing game under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. |
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Taysom Hill Taysom Hill Taking snaps as FB/RB
Wed, May 29, 2024, 1:13 PM
Hill has taken snaps as a running back, fullback and tight end during OTAs rather than getting direct snaps as a dual-threat QB, Matthew Paras of The Advocate reports.
Analysis: While Hill presumably will take direct snaps at some point, early signs suggest new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak prefers to use his versatile weapon as more of a hybrid TE/RB/FB/H-back. Former Saints coordinator Pete Carmichael rarely put Hill in the backfield unless he was taking the snap, instead using him as either a power-formation QB or spread-formation TE. Hill scored between five and nine touchdowns each of the past five seasons, not including passing TDs, with last year's 692 yards from scrimmage representing a new career high (besting his 652 from the year prior). His occasional outbursts, often fueled by red-zone work, have made Hill rather useful in leagues where he has TE eligibility and the scoring is non-PPR and/or best ball. His lack of receptions compared to other TEs has made him far less valuable in PPR formats, especially those that set lineups weekly, and that'll probably continue under Kubiak even if Hill's role somewhat changes for his age-34 season. Many fantasy players will be less interested in Hill himself and more interested in how his role impacts the TD projections for QB Derek Carr, RB Alvin Kamara, TE Juwan Johnson, etc. |
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Jake Haener Jake Haener Competition for QB2
Mon, May 6, 2024, 10:13 PM
Haener appears to be the early frontrunner to serve as the QB2 for the Saints this offseason, John Hendrix of Sports Illustrated reports.
Analysis: Haener was suspended for the first six games of his 2023 campaign and has yet to make his NFL debut. But, the 6-foot-1 signal caller should have a chance to establish himself as QB2 after New Orleans made several changes at the quarterback position this offseason. Last year's No.2 QB Jameis Winston signed with the Colts in March. Meanwhile, the Saints signed veteran backup Nathan Peterman and fourth-year quarterback Kellen Mond this offseason before selecting Spencer Rattler in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Carr is still clearly set as the starter, but the competition for QB2 figures to be wide open this offseason. Haener's experience within the Saints' quarterback room should give him an immediate leg up on Peterman, Mond and Rattler. 33-year-old Taysom Hill is also listed as a quarterback by the Saints, but he's better described as a multi-use player who regularly slots in at positions across the offense and special teams. It's highly unlikely that the team will carry more than three quarterbacks on the active roster during the 2024 campaign. Therefore, it will be worth monitoring how this competition shapes up during offseason workouts and training camp while projecting this quarterback depth chart. |
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