The latter was moved to IR on Saturday, per a crew announcement. Like Thomas, Lattimore exited the Saints’ loss to the Minnesota Vikings and was subsequently deemed to have suffered a “signficant damage.” The ankle ailment stored Lattimore out of shape this week and New Orleans will elect to close him down throughout a pivotal level within the marketing campaign. He will probably be compelled to overlook at the very least 4 weeks because of at the moment’s transfer.
Lattimore’s absence will probably be acutely felt given his significance to the Saints secondary. That unit has helped New Orleans rank seventh within the league in passing yards allowed per sport (199); he has additionally recorded one of many crew’s 12 interceptions, a determine which locations them second within the NFL. The four-time Professional Bowler has had one other sturdy season in 2023 with 48 tackles, eight go deflections and a 57.4% completion proportion allowed.
Fellow starters Paulson Adebo and Alontae Taylor will probably be leaned on extra closely on the CB spot shifting ahead with Lattimore dealing with a prolonged damage absence for the second consecutive season. A lacerated kidney and damaged ribs led to a 10-game keep on the sidelines final 12 months, although Lattimore didn’t go on IR in that case. With him now assured to be shelved for at the very least a medium-term stretch, veteran Isaac Yiadom (who has primarily performed on particular groups) might be in line to tackle a beginning function.
In additional constructive damage information, quarterback Derek Carr cleared concussion protocol on Thursday. He’s thus in line to go well with up Sunday after exiting the Saints’ Week 10 sport. With the crew’s bye week having come and gone, Carr’s throwing shoulder – which was banged up earlier within the marketing campaign – must also be more healthy, which might result in enchancment within the passing sport on offense. That might be a welcome improvement for the 5-5 Saints as they appear to take care of their lead within the NFC South down the stretch.
Along with putting Lattimore on IR, the Saints made defensive finish Jason Pierre-Paul a gameday elevation. The 2-time Tremendous Bowl winner signed final week to New Orleans’ apply squad and it comes as no shock that he’ll shortly be eligible to make his Saints debut. Fullback Adam Prentice was additionally elevated to the gameday roster for Sunday’s contest in opposition to the Falcons.