The New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers published their final injury report ahead of Sunday’s big noon kickoff, including status updates for several players managing various ailments. Here’s what we learned after each team wrapped up practice on Friday.
For New Orleans, the Saints hope to all-world left tackle Terron Armstead return to the lineup a few weeks removed from a high-ankle sprain. But his practice participation has been limited throughout the week, so he’ll have to test out his ankle during pregame warmups on Sunday before they can reach a final decision. He’s officially listed as questionable to play.
If Armstead can’t go, expect veteran guard Patrick Omameh to again step into the lineup in his place, as he did in last week’s game with the Atlanta Falcons. Undrafted rookie Ethan Greenidge was active for the first time this year but didn’t get on the field thanks to Omameh’s performance in a tough spot. The 49ers boast one of the NFL’s fiercest defensive lines, so it’s anyone’s guess who plays left tackle for most of the day.
Things aren’t trending nearly so favorably on defense, where starting linebackers Kiko Alonso and A.J. Klein were each preemptively ruled out after missing practice throughout the week. The Saints signed former starter Manti Te’o on Tuesday and he could be pressed into action on Sunday against one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks, which isn’t ideal.
Special teamers Craig Robertson and Stephone Anthony are theoretically ahead of Te’o on the depth chart, but the Saints coaching staff saw enough out of their 11 combined snaps against the Falcons last week to call him up as soon as possible. Whoever ends up starting next to Demario Davis on Sunday, they need to be ready.
The Saints also lost backup tight end Jason Vander Laan to injured reserve after he suffered a head injury in Thursday’s practice. They recently waived third-year reserve Dan Arnold, so they’ll be short-handed at tight end on Sunday.
From the Saints
- LB Kiko Alonso (Thigh) DNP, Out
- OL Andrus Peat (Forearm) DNP, Out
- LB A.J. Klein (Knee) DNP, Out
- OL Terron Armstead (Ankle) Limited, Questionable
- FB Zach Line (Knee) Limited, Out
- OL Will Clapp (Elbow) DNP, Questionable
- TE Jason Vander Laan (Head) DNP, Out and on injured reserve
- CB Patrick Robinson (Calf) DNP, Questionable
From the 49ers
- WR Dante Pettis (Knee) Limited, Questionable
- S Jaquiski Tartt (Ribs) DNP, Out
- DT Julian Taylor (Knee) DNP, Out
- DE Dee Ford (Quad/Hamstring) Full
- DT D.J. Jones (Ankle) Full
- TE George Kittle (Knee/Ankle) Full
- CB Richard Sherman (Knee) Full
- T Joe Staley (Finger) Limited, Questionable
- RB Matt Breida (Ankle) Full
- WR Deebo Samuel (Shoulder) Full
- WR Emmanuel Sanders (Ribs) Full
- DL Arik Armstead (NIR) Full
- WR Marquise Goodwin (Knee/Foot) Limited, Questionable
