Saints activate Ford and Styles from IR, make six roster moves before Vikings visit

NEW ORLEANS: The New Orleans Saints announced six roster moves on Saturday, bringing two young defenders back from injured reserve a day before the undefeated Minnesota Vikings visit the Caesars Superdome.

The Saints activated linebacker Jaylan Ford and rookie safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. from injured reserve. Both players practiced all week after New Orleans opened their 21-day practice windows following the Week 4 loss to Atlanta, Louisiana Sports reported Saturday.

Photograph by Nwill21, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Ford missed the season's first four games with an ankle injury and was a full practice participant this week; Styles spent the first quarter of the season on injured reserve with a calf injury and was also a full participant, according to SI's Saints coverage.

New Orleans also elevated offensive tackle Easton Kilty and wide receiver Cedric Tillman from the practice squad for game day. To clear the roster room, the Saints waived wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. and cornerback Decamerion Richardson, with the team hoping to re-sign both to the practice squad.

Kickoff is set for noon CT on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, and the game airs on FOX. Minnesota is 4-0; the Saints are 1-3.

Photograph by Infrogmation of New Orleans, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ruled out for New Orleans: outside linebacker Kaden Elliss, linebacker Anfernee Jennings and offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright. Wide receiver Chris Olave is expected to play despite an uncomfortable hit at the end of Monday night's loss; running back Alvin Kamara is questionable with a back injury.

The defensive additions arrive as the Saints try to fix a run defense gashed for 205 rushing yards in Monday night's 45-24 rout, a game played on the 20th anniversary of the Superdome's reopening after Hurricane Katrina.

Photograph by Michele Dorsey Walfred, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)