On a day the New Orleans Saints are starting a new quarterback in Taysom Hill, sources tell ESPN the Saints defense is going to be without their key CB Marshon Lattimore. I’m told he will not be active against the Falcons.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) November 22, 2020
Well, that’s less than ideal: ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported Sunday morning that the New Orleans Saints are expecting to play the Atlanta Falcons without Marshon Lattimore, their best cornerback. Lattimore exited last week’s game with the San Francisco 49ers with an abdomen injury, which limited him in practice throughout the week. He was officially listed as questionable to play following Friday’s final practice session.
If he can’t go, it would bump No. 2 corner Janoris Jenkins into the top spot — meaning a matchup with Atlanta’s best weapon Julio Jones. The stud wide receiver has been shut down in the past by Saints backups like Ken Crawley, and Jenkins limited him to just 3 catches on 5 targets for 32 yards in their last meeting, so there’s some optimism the Saints can weather this storm.
However, it also puts veteran backup Patrick Robinson in Lattimore’s spot. He’s been more up-and-down in the past and plays his best football from the slot, but his matchup with Falcons second-fiddle Calvin Ridley isn’t exactly favorable. The good news is that Robinson is the only Saints cornerback with multiple interceptions this year, so maybe he can take advantage of an errant Matt Ryan pass here or there.
