Acme Packing Company
It looks like New Orleans will be out its preferred quarterback and preferred running back this week
New Orleans Saints interim head coach Darren Rizzi told the press on Thursday that running back Alvin Kamara’s injury is “more significant than we initially thought.” He added that it “doesn’t look great for this week.”
That’s the last news you wanted to hear out of New Orleans if you’re a Saints fan, as rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler is expected to make a start at snowy Lambeau Field on Monday Night Football. Rattler is New Orleans’ third option, behind the injured Derek Carr and Jake Haener, who was benched at halftime last week.
Green Bay Packers fans received good news after their opening practice of the week, though, as cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) was a full participant. Alexander has played all of 10 snaps since he went down against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 8. There is hope that he will suit up this week against the Saints.
Cornerback Corey Ballentine (hamstring) and tight end Luke Musgrave (injured reserve) were both limited participants in practice today. Ballentine was active for Sunday’s game, despite the hamstring issue, while Musgrave still has another two weeks available before he has to be activated from the injured reserve or revert back to the list for the remainder of the season.
The non-participants in practice today were safety Javon Bullard, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury, and linebacker Quay Walker, who was injured against the Seattle Seahawks. Without Bullard, the Packers have been playing Keisean Nixon in the slot, rather than as an outside cornerback. Walker’s replacement this season has been Eric Wilson, allowing Isaiah McDuffie and Edgerrin Cooper to play their usual outside linebacker roles.
After practice, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was asked about the status of third-round rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd, who is on the non-football injury list following his appendectomy. LaFleur stated, “When he can go, he’ll go,” though, he didn’t “want to shut the door” that Lloyd will return at some point this season.
