New Orleans Saints fans will get to see many of their team’s new additions in Sunday’s preseason opener with the Kansas City Chiefs, but one player not expected to hit the field at the Caesars Superdome is Jaylon Smith. The former Pro Bowl linebacker arrived in town so recently that the team doesn’t want to rush him into action before he’s had time to fully pick up the playbook and settle in with new teammates.
Still, he’ll be available to play should something severe happen. Saints head coach Dennis Allen laid out the vision for his role in Week 1’s exhibition game after Friday’s training camp practice session: “I wouldn’t expect for him to play. You know, he’s only been here 24 hours. We’ll have him ready in an emergency situation if we need him, but I don’t expect him to play Sunday.”
