We received a mix of good news and bad news on New Orleans Saints players who were injured in Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings; head coach Dennis Allen shared updates on everyone’s status after the team returned to New Orleans and completed further medical evaluations at the team facility on Monday.
Here’s what we learned about Derek Carr, Michael Thomas, and Marshon Lattimore:
Derek Carr
“Derek is in the concussion protocol,” Allen said, “The right shoulder’s fine. That checked out fine today, so that’s all good. Obviously he’s in the concussion protocol.”
Carr hit the ground hard on a high-low hit from Vikings defenders Danielle Hunter and Jaquelin Roy, but it’s reassuring to see that his throwing shoulder is in good shape. He suffered an AC joint sprain in that same shoulder early this season against the Green Bay Packers and played through it.
As for the concussion protocol: it takes as long as it takes. This is just the second time he’s entered the evaluation process for a brain injury in his NFL career, having suffered a concussion way back in the 2014 preseason. He could return in time for Week 12’s game with the Atlanta Falcons, but it’s possible he has to sit out longer in recovery. So Jameis Winston should keep his arm warmed up. The Week 11 bye does help out here.
Michael Thomas
“Mike Thomas and Marshon Lattimore both had fairly significant injuries. I’m not going to get into the exact extent, but they’ll both be rehabbing throughout the week here,” Allen said.
Again, the bye week helps. It was previously reported that Thomas avoided a serious injury after taking a helmet to the knee on his second play of the game, and it’s a good sign that he never left for the locker room for further evaluation. Hopefully he can rest up during the bye and come back out in the starting lineup in Week 12.
If Thomas does miss time, A.T. Perry looks to step up in his absence. The rookie wide receiver was targeted four times on short notice and caught two passes for 38 yards, including a ridiculous across-the-field touchdown lob from Winston. Perry has some things to work on after he lost his footing on one incomplete pass and dropped another would-be first down conversion, but the early returns are encouraging.
Marshon Lattimore
Lattimore’s outlook appears to be the most serious of the three starters who went down on Sunday. It was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and confirmed by CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson and NewOrleans.Football’s Mike Triplett that Lattimore suffered a high-ankle sprain, and he’s considered week-to-week moving forwards. So he could potentially return in time for the Falcons game after the bye, or it could take longer for him to recover.
He was injured trying to help out in a tackle late in regulation when another player rolled up on his leg; Lattimore hobbled to the sidelines before being driven to the locker room on a trainer’s cart for further evaluation. The good news is that he didn’t suffer a season-ending injury, and the Saints have a capable backup in place with Isaac Yiadom.
But Lattimore is irreplaceable when he’s playing at the top of his game and there will be moments where the Saints miss him. Hopefully he and the other players Allen discussed can enjoy a swift and full recovery.
