Who's in, who's out? Breaking down the final Saints-Chargers injury report
Who's in, who's out, and who has a chance to play? We're breaking down the final New Orleans Saints-Los Angeles Chargers injury report for Week 8 with the latest word on Alvin Kamara, Taysom Hill, Chris Olave, Derek Carr, their teammates and the opponents dealing with injuries:
Available
RG Cesar Ruiz (knee) was a limited participant to start the week, but he's back to full reps and is expected to make his return on Sunday. That's a big boost for the starting lineup.
C/G Lucas Patrick (chest) was limited on Wednesday and Thursday, but he practiced fully Friday. The question is whether he'll start at center or left guard.
LB Pete Werner (hamstring) was also limited for the week's first two practice sessions before getting upgraded to a full day's work. His return will put the front seven at full strength for the first time this season.
C Connor McGovern (back) was limited Wednesday and practiced fully after that. If he continues to start at center, that could free up Patrick to hold it down at left guard.
WR Chris Olave (concussion) cleared concussion protocol and saw full participation on Thursday and Friday. He should see plenty of targets after Rashid Shaheed's season-ending surgery.
DT Khalen Saunders (back) has been limited at practice to manage his workload, but he was a full participant on Friday.
TE Taysom Hill (rib) is set to return, too. He's a critically important chess piece in Klint Kubiak's offense as a runner, blocker, and receiving threat.
RB Alvin Kamara (hand/rib) was limited all week, which makes sense given he's dealing with a broken bone in his hand on top of the rib issue. But he'll play on Sunday without limitations.
TE Juwan Johnson (shoulder) was also limited all week but is expected to play.
CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) was a full participant all week. That's great to see considering his history of hamstring issues going back to college. The Saints will continue to ask a lot of him after Paulson Adebo went down with a season-ending injury last week.
QB Spencer Rattler (hip) also practiced fully this week and is going to start on Sunday, but it could be his last action of the season if Derek Carr returns afterwards.
Three Chargers players were listed on the injury report but are expected to play: CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring), OLB Khalil Mack (rest), and DB Ja'Sir Taylor (fibula).
Questionable
No Saints players are questionable this week, but six Chargers are: OLB Joey Bosa (hip), WR DJ Chark (groin), TE Will Dissly (shoulder), TE Hayden Hurst (groin), WR Ladd McConkey (hip), and LB Denzel Perryman (toe).
Doubtful
QB Derek Carr (oblique) is doubtful to play again this week, having not participated in practice while continuing to rehab his injury. He has been throwing and ramping up his recovery process but he's probably a week away from getting back into a game.
Two Chargers players were listed as doubtful: WR Derius Davis (hamstring) and WR Quentin Johnson (ankle).
Out
G Nick Saldiveri (shoulder) was ruled out for this game, but this isn't expected to be a long-term issue for the second-year pro. It isn't the same shoulder injury that ended his rookie year.
WR Cedrick Wilson Jr. (hip) won't play either. He was limited in Wednesday's practice and couldn't get back on the field for work on Thursday or Friday, so this is a situation to monitor.
No Chargers players were preemptively ruled out.
On PUP/injured reserve
Several Saints players are out for the year with injuries. RT Ryan Ramczyk won't be activated from the physically unable to perform list with what may be a career-ending knee injury. Those ineligible to be activated from IR include CB Rejzohn Wright, DT Camron Peterson, and T Justin Herron as well as WR Rashid Shaheed and CB Paulson Adebo.
However, some reinforcements could be on the way. Starters on injured reserve like C Erik McCoy and S Will Harris should be back later this season, but it's unclear whether C/G Shane Lemieux will join them. Both DE Tanoh Kpassagnon and LB Nephi Sewell are expected to play again this year upon being activated from the PUP list.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Who's in, who's out? Breaking down the final Saints-Chargers injury report
