The New Orleans Saints have been bit by the injury bug so far in 2021. This issue seems to be getting better, finally. After the Saints bye in Week 6, several players are looking to return. These players are on both sides of the ball and in various groups. This will be a welcome relief to the Saints with tough matchups looming. The Saints will have the Buccaneers, Titans, Bills, and Cowboys in the next few weeks of play. The New Orleans Saints reinforcements are ready to make a difference around this middle point of the NFL schedule.
Saints Reinforcements Ready to Make a Difference
One of the biggest helps to the Saints will be the return of kicker Wil Lutz. The Saints have been through several kickers since Lutz was injured in the preseason. Cody Parkey and Aldrick Rosas did not fill the void left by the reliable Lutz. It is possible that Lutz can return in Week 7, but the Saints also signed Brian Johnson just in case. Johnson will likely be temporary until Lutz gets back into game shape. In the first five games, the Saints kickers have missed three field goals and two extra points. For comparison, Lutz missed just two extra points combined between the 2019 and 2020 seasons. This consistency will be a welcome reprieve from the kicking woes so far this season.
The Saints wide receiver unit desperately needs help. The current unit has not stepped up in the absence of Tre’Quan Smith and Michael Thomas. Deonte Harris has been good but he has also been nursing an injury. Harris has indicated that he will be ready for Week 7. Michael Thomas is reportedly still a couple weeks away. This will leave Tre’Quan Smith as the Saints top receiver until then. Smith has so far not been what the Saints expected when he was drafted. He will have the next few weeks to prove he is capable of carrying the offense.
Saints Getting Healthy in the Trenches
On the offensive line, All-Pro tackle Terron Armstead could be coming back from his elbow injury. Armstead avoided the injured reserve list, but his return might not be until Week 8, when the Saints desperately need him against the Buccaneers pass rush.
The defensive line will be bolstered in the next couple of weeks as well. Week 8 is expected to be the return of David Onyemata on the defensive line. This was not injury related though. Onyemata was suspended for six weeks this off-season. Marcus Davenport is eligible to come off the injured reserve list in Week 7. It is not yet known if Davenport is ready, but there is some hope around his return. These two will be able to make an immediate impact along the defensive front.
Saints Reinforcements Almost Ready to Return
Fortunately, these are just a few of the Saints players ready to return. The Saints are also in line to get back Tony Jones Jr., Nick Vannett, and Erik McCoy on offense. Defensively, Kwon Alexander should be returning soon.
The full list of injured New Orleans Saints look like they could be a Pro Bowl team. The Saints have had bad luck with injuries so far this season, but things do appear to be looking up. If these returning reinforcements are ready to help the Saints down the stretch, the team could make noise in the NFC South.
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