Week three of training camp is on the way as the team prepares for their first preseason game this Saturday at 7:00 PM CT. The practice started off outdoors with some rain but with lightning in the area the practice was moved indoors. The Saints also had refs in attendance for today’s practice.
Attendance
The players who weren’t spotted include D’Marco Jackson, Zack Baun, and Jaleel Johnson. It’s unkown as to why they were not at practice.
After dealing with two cracked ribs, Taysom Hill returned to practice today with a non contact jersey on. He did drills against air with the tight end group. Today we saw Chauncey Gardner Johnson return as well after dealing with a personal matter. He’s currently seeking a new contract extension.
Marcus Davenport (finger), Dylan Mabin, and Marshon Lattimore (pulled hamstring) all did individual work to the side today.
Rookie undrafted free agent Rashid Shaheed passed his physical and practiced for the first time today. Looked good running routes vs air and will be ramped up to full contact.
The headlining news of the day is that Jameis Winston left practice early with a tweaked foot. There is no updates on the injury as of now but it doesn’t seem to be super serious from what I’ve heard.
Roster Moves
The Saints are currently in the process of signing defensive end T.J. Carter. He entered the NFL in 2020 as an undrafted free agent who signed with the Cardinals and spent some time with the Steelers. He spent the past year in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers. Carter had 24 tackles and 2.5 sacks in the USFL.
With the retirement of Kiko Alonso, the Saints added depth and signed linebacker Chase Hansen. Hansen has been on and off the Saints roster since 2019.
Cornerback Jordan Brown was signed by the Saints. Brown was a Bengals seventh-round pick in 2019. He’s spent time with the Jaguars, Raiders and Commanders as well, but has never appeared in a game.
The Saints worked out defensive end Ethan Westbrooks.
It was released later that Dylan Mabin was waived.
Standouts
Second year quarterback Ian Book had one of his best practices today. His decision making and progressive reads have improved. He’ll need to showcase his growth this Saturday in Houston.
The wide receiver room had yet another standout day from Kirk Merritt. If the Saints had this guy last year I think he would’ve been a huge help to that lack luster receiving corps.
Getting Pete Werner back in the lineup has been huge. He’s been showing a lot of growth in his reads and run stuffing abilities.
Big Nutz Lutz has only missed one kick in training camp for 57 yards going 26/27. Today he went 6/6 with a long of 56 yards.
The early concern about Olave struggling against physicality is nearing an end. He’s been improving against press and physical coverage.
Lineups
No new players on the first team offense, but the following players rotated into the first team offense: Juwan Johnson, Kevin White, and Dwayne Washington.
With Lattimore injured right now, Adebo and Taylor have been the starting cornerbacks.
In the slot was Bradley Roby.
On the opposite side of Cam Jordan is Carl Granderson.
Back deep at safety is Tyrann Mathieu, Marcus Maye, and P.J. Williams.
Some rotations into the first team defense include Chase Hansen, Kentavius Street, Malcolm Roach, and Taco Charlton.
Highlights
Michael Thomas went up against Paulson Adebo in 1-vs-1’s three times. Two of the most physical guys so far in camp. Thomas caught one and Adebo had two pass break ups.
For the first time CGJ competed in 1-vs-1’s and got beat by Tre’Quan Smith on a post route.
Kirk Merritt beat Quenton Meeks down the sideline on a go route.
A second time Smith had another score over CGJ on a fade from Winston.
Ian Book had one incompletion which came from a CGJ pass break up.
The Saints installed two minute drill today.
Written by Kadin Janisch
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