Saints rule out Elliss, Granderson and Jennings for Monday night against the Falcons
The final injury report leaves New Orleans without three defensive players for the prime-time division game at the Caesars Superdome. Pete Werner and Noah Fant are questionable.
NEW ORLEANS: The Saints will be without three defensive players on Monday night. Linebacker Kaden Elliss (calf), defensive end Carl Granderson (ankle) and edge rusher Anfernee Jennings (knee) were ruled out on the final injury report released Saturday after the team’s third and final practice before the prime-time game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Caesars Superdome.
The report also lists linebacker Pete Werner as questionable with a shoulder injury after he missed all three days of practice, and tight end Noah Fant as questionable with an abdominal injury. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. Eastern on Monday, with both teams at 1-2 and in a three-way tie with Carolina atop the NFC South.
The absences cut deepest at linebacker. Elliss, who was drafted by the Saints, spent the last three seasons in Atlanta, and re-signed with New Orleans this season, will miss the chance to face his former team. If Werner cannot go either, the Saints would be without both starting linebackers against Falcons running back Bijan Robinson.
Head coach Kellen Moore said Werner, who has not practiced all week, could be a game-time decision. "It’s the physical side of this thing, not the mental side. So we’ll just let it be evaluated for the next 24 or so hours," Moore said.
On the edge, Granderson and his backup Jennings being sidelined together leaves the pass rush thin against Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. There was better news elsewhere on the report: safety Julian Blackmon, receiver Barion Brown, defensive lineman Christen Miller, cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux all practiced fully on Saturday and carry no game designation.
The Saints are 1-2 after losses to Detroit and Las Vegas, and Monday opens division play with a chance to even the record and stay in at least a tie for first place in the NFC South.
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