There it is: New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen ruled wide receiver Michael Thomas (foot) out of Sunday’s game with the Minnesota Vikings and expressed doubt that Jameis Winston (back/ankle) will be able to suit up. Describing it as “an accumulation of the wear and tear” of injuries Winston has picked up early in the 2022 season, Allen is choosing to defer to the team’s training staff and monitor Winston’s health each day before making a final decision.
“I think it’s doubtful that Jameis plays in this game,” Allen said after Friday’s practice session, stressing that it’s a medical decision rather than something based off of his on-field performance. “You look at this as a long season, you don’t want to continue down that same circular path.”
Allen voiced confidence in his backup Andy Dalton, but if Dalton starts on Sunday he would be the fifth different quarterback to step into that role during their last 14 games. The Saints only started five non-Drew Brees quarterbacks from 2006 to 2020. Life without No. 9 has been fairly chaotic for New Orleans.
So it sounds like Winston will be, at best, a game-time decision. We’ll get a better idea of everyone’s status with the injury report is released later Friday morning. Keep an eye out for that update.
