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The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released their Friday injury report which also features game designations
The Saints get their top pass rusher back on Sunday and more good news despite having to rule out CB Patrick Robinson. Meanwhile, the Bucs rule out two piece within their trenches on both sides of the ball. The designations are in, the stage is set, and Sunday’s action grows a bit more clear.
Remember, no designation generally means the player is good to go.
From the Saints
- CB Patrick Robinson (Hamstring), DNP - OUT
- QB Taysom Hill (Knee), Limited Participation - Questionable
- RB Latavius Murray (Quadricep), Limited Participation - Questionable
- T Terron Armstead (Elbow), Full Participation
- TE Jared Cook (Back), Full Participation
- DE Trey Hendrickson (Neck), Full Participation
- OL Will Clapp (Not Injury Related), DNP
Why it’s important: Seeing Taysom Hill and Latavius Murray back at practice is huge for the Saints. But the biggest news (and I never expected I would be typing this) centers around the fact that Saints sack-leader Trey Hendrickson was back to full on Friday. I’m glad to be typing it though as the Saints’ best pass-rusher returns just in time to take on Tom Brady after terrorizing the quarterback and left tackle Donovan Smith in their first two meetings.
It would be a huge benefit to New Orleans to have Taysom Hill and Latavius Murray on Sunday as they both pick up big roles all over the offense. Murray’s role in protecting quarterback Drew Brees is a big one, of course.
With no Patrick Robinson, the Saints’ secondary depth suffers. Robinson has stepped in for Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins well throughout the 2020 regular season.
If Tre’Quan Smith proved healthy enough to be activated after returning to practice this week, Saturday is the day to watch for his official return to the roster.
From the Buccaneers
- G Alex Cappa (Ankle), Moved to Injured Reserve - OUT
- DL Jeremiah Ledbetter (Calf), DNP - OUT
- RB Ronald Jones (Quad/Finger), Limited Participation- Questionable
- S Andrew Adams (Not Injury Related), DNP - Questionable
- S Jordan Whitehead (Knee), LP - Questionable
- CB Carlton Davis (Groin), Full Participation
- RB LeSean McCoy (Illness), Full Participation
- WR Mike Evans (Knee), Limited Participation
- OL Ali Marpet (Pectoral), Full Participation
- WR Chris Godwin (Hip/Quad), DNP
- OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (Knee), DNP
- DT Ndamukong Suh (Not Injury Related), DNP
Why it’s important: While the Saints’ defensive line gets stronger with the return of Hendrickson expected, the Bucs’ offensive line will be missing one piece while another nurses a new injury. Alex Cappa was never expected to play this week, but seeing that Ali Marpet suffered a pectoral injury, potentially during the practice week, piques interest. Yes, he practiced in full despite it, but we’ve seen pectoral injuries in New Orleans among offensive linemen before and they’re never good.
The Bucs will make a game-time decision on Ronald Jones’ participation on Sunday. Leonard Fournette will reportedly be the starter in the backfield. The Bucs would benefit from establishing the run game against a very talented Saints run defense.
Good news for the Buccaneers to see the return of Carlton Davis. Davis returns to a testing matchup against Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas.
Names like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jason Pierre-Paul (who has no designation despite not practicing all week), and Ndamukong Suh draw attention. We’ll see what those players look like when they hit the field on Sunday. Or if these injuries happen to act as a precursor to any surprises on gameday.
How are you feeling heading into Sunday’s Division Round matchup? Let us know in the comments. Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC , “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our new YouTube channel. As always, you can follow me on Twitter @RossJacksonNOLA and subscribe to my daily Saints podcast, Locked On Saints.