Saints vs. Giants Wednesday injury report: Will Clapp is back

The New Orleans Saints are set to host their first true home game this weekend hosting the New York Giants in the Caesars Superdome. In their return home, it looks like key players remain healthy that returned to the lineup last week, though they will be missing potentially two very important pieces of the offensive line.

New Orleans Saints

A short list for New Orleans but two key absences on the offensive line will be something to watch against a talented Giants defensive line. Erik McCoy continues remains DNP as he has been the last couple of weeks. The Saints interestingly never put him on injured reserve even though he looks to be on pace to miss his third game. Perhaps there was or maybe still is some hope that he could come back after missing just two, but it seems unlikely.

Terron Armstead suffered an elbow injury in the Week 3 win over the New England Patriots after taking friendly fire from he helmet of Tony Jones Jr. He is expected to miss the next three to six weeks per reports. In his place, James Hurst will start at left tackle.

In place of McCoy should continue to be Cesar Ruiz. But good news for the Saints to see Will Clapp back at practice. Clapp can be at practice for 21 days before the Saints must make a decision about his returning to the native roster. So the next part of his process has begun. Expect Ruiz to continue to fill in at center even with Clapp practicing.

Marshon Lattimore played last weekend but is still recovering from thumb surgery. Didn’t keep him from being a full participant at practice this week after a strong start to the season.

Jameis Winston went down awkwardly on a sack by Matthew Judon last weekend. He came up with a small limp afterwards, but finished the game. Since there was a noticeable limp, the Saints likely did the cautious thing to have him checked out thus landing him on the injury report even though he was a full participant. Should be of no concern unless he was downgraded at some point this week.

WR Tre’Quan Smith, K Wil Lutz, CB Ken Crawley, and TE Nick Vannett are all eligible to return to the injured reserve but have not yet done so.

New York Giants

The Giants’ injury list is reminiscent of the Saints ahead of their Week 2 game against the Carolina Panthers. Long though it is, this was an estimated participation list since Wednesday was just a walk through or the team. Following up with Thursday’s injury report will be more informative.

The most notable estimated absences for New York are LB Blake Martinez and WRs Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. Shepard and Slayton are both dealing with hamstring injuries.

Martinez is more than estimated as he was later moved to injured reserve after he suffered a season-ending ACL tear. The WRs suffered their hamstring injuries in Week 3. Those are big blows to the Giants on both sides of the ball.

Look for Martinez’s absence to factor into Alvin Kamara’s game as he’s the Giants’ most talented off-ball linebacker. Young LB Tae Crowder is likely to be in the role. Misdirection and matching up with Karama will present a challenge for him. As will his new role in lining up the defense and calling the shots under the pressure of what is sure to be an impossibly loud home crowd that has not seen full-capacity numbers since January of 2020. This will not be an easy task for the second-year Mr. Irrelevant (last pick of the 2020 NFL draft).

If either or both WRs miss this game, the Saints will be able to key in on Kenny Golladay in the passing game with Marshon Lattimore and potential bracket coverages.

However, even Golladay himself carries an estimated limited designation with a hip injury. Joining seven other Giants including star RB Saquon Barkley and an important piece on the defense with DB Logan Ryan.

Thursday’s report should carry actual injury designations for the Giants and will hopefully continue to trend well for the Saints.

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.