Yikes. New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen ruled out three players from Sunday’s home game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including two starting defensive backs and an offensive lineman. Here’s what we learned during his Friday media availability:
CB Paulson Adebo
Adebo suffered a hamstring injury in practice last week and wasn’t available for Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. He’ll miss this game, too, so look for Isaac Yiadom to start in his place again opposite Marshon Lattimore.
FS Jordan Howden
This is kind of confusing. Howden injured a finger in practice last Friday, played through the injury for all 70-plus defensive snaps in Green Bay, but wasn’t seen at practice all week and he won’t be available on Sunday. Did he have surgery? Either way, the Saints are perilously thin at safety with Howden down and Marcus Maye out of the picture with a suspension. Look for Lonnie Johnson Jr. or Ugo Amadi to get his snaps over the top.
RG Cesar Ruiz
Ruiz suffered a concussion against the Packers and was held out of practice all week recovering from it. The team has to be patient with him, which is frustrating given how poorly the offensive line has performed. Expect James Hurst to fill in for him at right guard with Andrus Peat returning to the starting lineup on the left side.
