All indications suggest that the New Orleans Saints will be on their way to a change at quarterback this weekend in London. With starter Jameis Winston listed as doubtful to play on Sunday, the Saints are in line to turn to Andy Dalton as their lead signal caller against the Minnesota Vikings. Saints head coach Dennis Allen detailed that not only has the lingering back issue led to this outlook, but so too have residual concerns around Winston’s training camp ankle injury.
With Winston listed as doubtful on Friday, the Saints would have to upgrade him to at least questionable on Saturday in order for him to have a chance to appear in Sunday’s game. But after not practicing all week, that seems both unlikely and unwise. The biggest concern for Dalton, the quarterback likely to take the field, is that he will be without his starting left guard Andrus Peat and star wide receiver Michael Thomas.
Thomas has been known to be an eraser for changes at the quarterback position in the past. New Orleans will have to rely on other options like running back Alvin Kamara, receiver Jarvis Landry (both questionable to play) and rookie Chris Olave to get the offensive production going. The Vikings injury report will update after their Friday afternoon practice session; here’s what we learned from the Saints:
Minnesota Vikings injury report
| Player | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| LB Eric Kendricks (toe) | Full | Full | Full | |
| S Harrison Smith (concussion) | Full | Full | Full | |
| CB Andrew Booth Jr. (quad) | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
| RB Dalvin Cook (shoulder) | DNP | Full | Full | |
| FB C.J. Ham (foot) | DNP | Full | Full | |
| OLB Za’Darius Smith (knee) | DNP | DNP | Limited | Questionable |
New Orleans Saints injury report
| Player | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Game Status |
| CB Paulson Adebo (ankle) | Limited | Limited | Limited | |
| RB Alvin Kamara (rib) | Limited | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
| DE Marcus Davenport (shoulder) | Limited | Full | Full | |
| S J.T. Gray (shoulder) | Limited | Full | Full | |
| WR Deonte Harty (foot) | Limited | Limited | Limited | |
| WR Tre’Quan Smith (concussion) | Limited | Full | Full | |
| TE Taysom Hill (rib) | Limited | Limited | Full | |
| S Marcus Maye (rib) | Limited | Limited | DNP | Out |
| T Ryan Ramczyk (rest) | DNP | Limited | Limited | |
| QB Jameis Winston (back/ankle) | DNP | DNP | DNP | Doubtful |
| WR Jarvis Landry (ankle) | DNP | Limited | Limited | Questionable |
| WR Michael Thomas (foot) | DNP | DNP | DNP | Out |
| LG Andrus Peat (concussion) | DNP | Limited | DNP | Out |
