The New Orleans Saints wide receivers can’t catch a break. Tre’Quan Smith recently returned to practice as an observer in street clothes while recovering from an undisclosed injury, only for Ty Montgomery to leave on a medical cart the same day. But he returned a day later during Thursday’s practice session — which his teammate Tommylee Lewis exited, joined by a member of the training staff.
It’s rough. Injuries and brief absences are expected during training camp, especially when the pads come on and players begin hitting one another at full speed. Both of the Saints’ top two draft picks, defensive end Payton Turner and linebacker Pete Werner, have missed time after getting nicked up (though Sean Payton downplayed their issues, saying neither rookie has been ruled out for Saturday’s preseason game).
Other players absent from Thursday’s training camp practice — their final day of field work before the preseason kicks off — included running back Alvin Kamara and safety Malcolm Jenkins, both receiving veteran’s rest days, as well as safeties Marcus Williams and P.J. Williams, cornerbacks KeiVarae Russell and Adonis Alexander, linebacker Quentin Poling, and wide receiver Jalen McCleskey. Minor scrapes and bruises are common this time of year, but it’s still disquieting to see so many Saints players sidelined.
