New Orleans Saints news: Nick Fairley has heart tested on Friday

As you gear up for the weekend, take a look at some of the biggest news and columns surrounding the New Orleans Saints.

Sophomore spotlight falls on Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata with Saints facing Nick Fairley uncertainty | theadvocate.com
And even if Fairley is cleared to play, New Orleans is counting on Sheldon Rankins and David Onyemata to make big strides between year one and year two.

"You’re going to (see) more of Sheldon Rankins because of his health," Saints coach Sean Payton said Thursday when asked about young players who could make a jump this year. "I think you’re going to see more of Onyemata, a guy who’s really progressed."

Nick Fairley undergoes more heart testing Friday; future still unclear: source | NOLA.com
Fairley was undergoing further heart testing Friday afternoon as part of his third medical opinion, according to a source aware of the examination.

The 29-year-old Fairley has already received two opinions on the heart condition that is putting his career in jeopardy. After the first exam in Boston, Fairley was recommended not to play football again. He had a second opinion in Houston, which said he could continue playing with no problems, according to the source.

Saints defensive tackle Tyeler Davison expects to be full go for training camp | NOLA.com
New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Tyeler Davison was present for organized team activities the past three weeks, but he didn't do much more than stretch during the practice sessions.

Davison's will likely participate similarly during next week's mandatory minicamp, but when training camp begins next month, the 24-year-old plans to be ready to practice fully.

Adrian Peterson gets week of rest as Mark Ingram returns for Saints - ESPN
“He’s fine,” Payton said. “The last three days here, we backed off his reps. He was in, got his workout in, he’s doing fine. It’s mainly just paying attention to where he’s at physically. Last week he had a good week. And you’ll see him again Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. So he’s doing good.”

Saints' Wil Lutz not just kicking back despite no competition on roster | NOLA.com
"In my opinion, it's a little deceiving because there's always competition behind you," Lutz said. "They could come and be here tomorrow. So you have to treat everything like it's competition. Of course, it's good no one is here now. But you try not to think about it. You kick like someone is watching you. It's good, but we'll see what happens when we get to training camp."

Biggest DE contributors for 2017 New Orleans Saints | Who Dat Dish
To tell the truth, this season might not feature a defined edge rusher opposite of Cameron Jordan. Although this is true, that doesn’t exactly call worry for the Saints. The team could in fact just decide to use a similar method most teams go with the running back position. Instead of using a “Running Back by Committee” approach, the New Orleans Saints could just use multiple edge rushers to give diversity, and different types of pressure to ultimately help compliment DE Cameron Jordan.

Saints News: Would Drew Brees Consider a "Manning Move" in 2018? • Saints News Network
If these next few upcoming months ahead eventually determine that the Saints still aren't good enough to become a Playoff contender once again for a 4th straight season, after the 3 straight losing 7-9 seasons of these past three years; then Brees might be facing a very tough decision in the early part of next year.

"Should I stay here in NOLA with the Saints and give it one last chance?"

"Or do I look around and see what other opportunities are out there, so that I can try to "go out on top" and win another Super Bowl before I retire, like Peyton Manning did?"

One thing is for certain: Saints fans will be holding their collective breaths, that Drew Brees doesn't pull a "Manning Move"........

Quarterback Options in 2018 Offseason if Brees Leaves the Team | The Saints Nation
Barring another mediocre season, Drew Brees will likely remain in New Orleans for the foreseeable future. However, if the team or Brees struggle in the 2017-18 season, there is a very real chance that New Orleans will part ways with the greatest player in team history. So the question arises, who will fill the massive shoes left behind by franchise’s most iconic player of all time? It is a daunting task but one that can be approached from multiple angles.