Donaldson downgraded as Saints list eight on Thursday injury report for the Browns
Donaldson was downgraded to no practice on Thursday, Kamara returned on a limited basis, and Reid and Shepherd came off the report as New Orleans prepares to host Cleveland on Sunday. Charlie Smyth will kick for the Saints.
NEW ORLEANS: The Saints listed eight players on their Thursday injury report for the Week 9 game against the Cleveland Browns, and the one clear step backward belonged to running back CJ Donaldson, who went from a limited session on Wednesday to no practice at all on Thursday with shoulder and concussion issues.
Four Saints were limited for a second straight day: tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. with an ankle injury, cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. with a shin injury, tackle Asim Richards with a thumb injury, and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with a hamstring injury. Crescent City Sports, reviewing the same report, judged Donaldson doubtful for Sunday after the downgrade, while the limited group kept its members in contention to play.
Running back Alvin Kamara moved in the other direction. Listed with a rest designation and a back injury, Kamara did not practice on Wednesday and returned on a limited basis on Thursday. Guard Cesar Ruiz practiced fully on both days as he works through a knee injury.
Two defensive players came off the report entirely. Safety Justin Reid, who had practiced fully on Wednesday despite a concussion listing, carried no designation on Thursday, and defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd, listed with an illness, was also removed after a full Wednesday session. Defensive lineman Davon Godchaux was added on Thursday as a nonparticipant for rest.
Cleveland published the longer list. Quarterback Deshaun Watson missed both days with a concussion, a status that leaves the Browns with a decision at the position before Sunday. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr., with a groin injury, and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, with a hip injury, were added as limited participants on Thursday, and defensive tackle Maliek Collins missed both days with an elbow injury.
The rest of the Browns report moved toward availability. Tackle Austin Barber and linebacker Quincy Williams went from out on Wednesday to limited on Thursday, while cornerback Myles Harden, center Elgton Jenkins and defensive end Jared Verse all reached full participation on Thursday.
The kicking job changed hands earlier in the week. The Saints announced on Tuesday that they had released veteran kicker Daniel Carlson, who had made 8 of his 12 field goal attempts this season, and claimed running back Audric Estime off waivers. On Wednesday, head coach Kellen Moore confirmed that Charlie Smyth, who is on the practice squad, will handle the kicking against Cleveland.
Both clubs publish final injury reports on Friday, with game designations that will settle the borderline cases. The Saints and Browns meet on Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Caesars Superdome, with kickoff at noon.
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