Saints officially rule out five major contributors for season finale vs Falcons

6 days ago 2

On Friday, New Orleans Saints coach Kellen Moore officially ruled out several major contributors for the team's Week 18 regular season finale at the Atlanta Falcons. First, the good news. Moore said that Demario Davis, Dillon Radunz, and Spencer Rattler may play against Atlanta. Davis (calf), Radunz (knee), and Rattler (finger) are officially classified as questionable for Sunday. Radunz has been the starting left guard. With right guard Cesar Ruiz potentially back in the lineup on Sunday after missing two games, the Saints could have four of their five starting offensive line back on the field for the first time in several weeks.

Demario Davis has not missed a single game this season and has played 98% of the team's defensive snaps. In his eight years with the Saints, he has missed only two of a possible 137 contests. Davis leads New Orleans with 137 tackles, the most of his outstanding 14-year NFL career. His elite instincts and anticipation has been the key to the entire defense. In the event Davis doesn't play, linebackers Pete Werner and rookie Danny Stutsman will get the start in the middle with Isaiah Stalbird likely seeing more playing time, especially in passing situations.

Now, the bad news. Moore officially ruled out the following players against Atlanta:

DT Bryan Bresee (knee)
RB Alvin Kamara (knee)
WR Chris Olave (lung)
DT Nathan Shepherd (knee)
TE Jack Stoll (knee - IR)
WR Mason Tipton (groin - IR)

These don't come as major surprises, but are big blows to the Saints attempt to close the season with five straight victories. Kamara has missed the last five games since leaving a Week 12 loss to the Falcons. He finishes the year with 471 rushing yards and 33 catches for another 186 yards in 11 games, career lows in every category. Audric Estime, who rushed for a career-high 94 yards in last week's win at Tennessee, will again get the start in the backfield.

Bresee will miss his second straight game. The absence of both he and Shepherd in the middle could be potentially crippling against explosive Atlanta running back Bijan Robinson, who has 1,445 yards on the ground and is fresh off a 195-yard outing against the Rams. Shepherd and Bresee have combined for 5.5 sacks, 22 QB hits, and 9 tackles for loss this season.

Chris Olave is the biggest blow for an already shorthanded New Orleans offense around rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Olave had played in all 16 contests this year and led the Saints with 100 receptions for 1,163 yards and 9 touchdowns, all career-high numbers. With wideout Mason Tipton joining tight end Jack Stoll on injured reserve, Shough has a skeleton crew of pass catching targets. Kevin Austin Jr. and Dante Pettis will start at wide receiver, with practice squad elevation Ronnie Bell likely being the third wideout. Juwan Johnson will be a key target at tight end, with Taysom Hill and rookie Moliki Matavao seeing reps at the position.

New Orleans comes into Week 18 at 6-10 and winners of four in a row. Atlanta enters with a 6-9 record and have won three consecutive outings.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints officially rule out five major contributors for season finale vs Falcons

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