The New Orleans Saints injury report listed star cornerback Marshon Lattimore as questionable to play in Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers, but NFL Network reports now suggest Lattimore will be sidelined another week while managing a hamstring injury.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported early Sunday morning that Lattimore was not expected to play against the Panthers, but he could return on the following Thursday for the Thanksgiving headliner with the Atlanta Falcons. Tiffany Blackmon, also reporting from NFL Network, was assigned to cover the Saints-Panthers game from the sidelines and later added that Lattimore will not suit up.
While the Saints probably wanted to get a look how Lattimore’s hamstring responds during pregame warmups, it makes sense to let him rest until Thursday’s kickoff. Starting nickel corner P.J. Williams held his own while filling in for Lattimore a week ago against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he should have another opportunity to put up good game film against Carolina’s lackluster receiving corps.
With Williams on one side, Eli Apple on the other, and rookie C.J. Gardner-Johnson in the slot, the Saints are enjoying rare depth in the secondary. They’ll have tough decisions to make in the spring when Williams, Apple, and starting strong safety Vonn Bell each test unrestricted free agency.
We’ll know for sure whether Lattimore is playing today when the Saints release their inactive report later Sunday morning. So keep an eye out for official confirmation from the team.
