Sean Payton eyes Week 3 preseason return for Max Unger

Head coach Sean Payton met with media on Saturday afternoon following the second day of the New Orleans Saints 3-day rookie minicamp. Among the many topics included was the future around center Max Unger.

Payton said at the presser, “At the end of the season, on the x-ray, he had a little bit of a space there where you would call the Lisfranc.”

Payton added that the Saints could have made one of two decisions, which were largely influenced by Dr. Anderson. Rest was the initial approach for the same foot Unger dealt with last season, but once he got to offseason program it had increased. A screw was inserted which would allow him time to rehab, per Payton. The targeted return goal for him? Week 3 of the preseason when the Saints host the Houston Texans on Aug. 26.

Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio put out a report earlier last week that refuted an original Ian Rapoport report that had Unger suffering a foot injury which would force him to miss the start of the regular season. Of course, only time will tell how Unger progresses.