Olave misses practice with illness as Saints open Week 6 with a long injury report
Chris Olave and Nathan Shepherd missed practice with illness, Kaden Elliss and Anfernee Jennings were also out, and Tyler Shough and Zach Wood practiced fully on the first injury report of Week 6.
NEW ORLEANS: The Saints opened Week 6 with a long injury report on Wednesday, Oct. 14, listing wide receiver Chris Olave as a nonparticipant in practice because of an illness ahead of the game at the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 18.
Olave was one of four Saints who did not practice. Defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd also missed practice with an illness, while linebacker Kaden Elliss was out with a calf injury and Anfernee Jennings was out with a knee injury, according to Saints Wire, ClutchPoints and the team report summarized by both outlets.
Four other Saints were limited. Defensive tackle Vernon Broughton returned to practice on a limited basis after missing the loss to the Minnesota Vikings because of the same illness, and running back Alvin Kamara was limited with a back injury. Tyree Wilson was limited with an ankle injury and Colby Wooden was limited with a toe injury.
Olave is the receiver Tyler Shough leans on most, and he finished the Minnesota game with four catches for 46 yards in the 23-13 loss that left New Orleans at 1-4. ClutchPoints noted the Saints listed him as their leading receiver, and Heavy reported the team has not disclosed the nature or severity of the illness. Neither report assigned him a game status on Wednesday.
Good news at quarterback and long snapper
The full participants gave the Saints better news. Shough practiced fully despite a left hand injury to his non-throwing hand, according to the Wednesday report. Guard Jeremiah Wright also practiced fully after spending most of last week in concussion protocol, Saints Wire reported.
Long snapper Zach Wood practiced fully as well, beginning his return from injured reserve. Sports Illustrated reported Wood missed the games in Weeks 2 through 5 with a calf injury, and Saints Wire reported the club released fill-in long snapper Cal Adomitis this week and left a roster vacancy open for Wood once he is activated.
Saints Wire added that Wood, 33, had snapped in 150 consecutive regular season games, plus seven playoff games, before the calf injury ended the streak. Whether he is activated for Sunday depends on how he practices the rest of the week, Saints Wire reported.
New Orleans will practice again on Thursday and Friday before traveling to face the Giants at MetLife Stadium. Thursday and Friday reports will show whether the illness absences were a one day problem or the start of a shorter bench for Sunday.
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