Marcus Spears explains why the Saints will continue their improvement under Jameis Winston and why the Panthers won't be able to stop the New Orleans defense. (0:53).
On Saturday, the list of assistant coaches who were not with the New Orleans Saints in Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers grew.
Due to NFL COVID-19 protocols, the Saints have announced that Ryan Nielsen, defensive line coach, and Brian Young (pass rush specialist) will not be joining the team for the second game of the season. The team announced that Young and Nielsen's duties will be split among the defense staff. They also stated that Brendan Nugent, offensive line coach, will be in Carolina.
Saturday's announcement makes eight coaches unavailable for this week. The Saints will also be without at least three starters due to injuries as they try to improve their record to 2-0.
Marcus Davenport, defensive end (shoulder), and Kwon Alexander, linebacker (elbow), were placed on injured reserve Friday. They will be out of action for at least three more weeks. For Sunday's game, center Erik McCoy (calf), and backup linebackers Pete Werner and Chase Hansen (hamstring) were also ruled-out. Hansen was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
Marshon Lattimore, the Pro Bowl cornerback, will be able to play Sunday despite having thumb surgery. Lattimore has been listed as questionable following limited practice on Thursday and Friday. Coach Sean Payton stated that he would likely be a "game time decision."
After testing positive for COVID-19 earlier this week, the coaches were also ruled out. Curtis Johnson, the wide receivers coach, and Dan Roushar, the tight ends coach, running backs coach Joel Thomas as well as offensive analyst Jim Chaney and Declan Doyle, special teams assistant Phil Galiano, were some of those who were announced as out.
Payton stated earlier in the week, that all coaches had been vaccinated. They can return to work after they have taken two negative tests within 24 hours.
Terron Armstead, Saints left tackle, said Payton is "kind of getting back to his early days" this week and has also been more hands-on with different position groups.
He's running around. Armstead stated that he coaches every position. He's enjoying the challenge of coaching without some of the great minds on our coaching staff. He is relying on veterans and older men to assist him where needed. His energy has been high. Sean is the perfect example of this. Sean is not one to make excuses for any circumstance, and this attitude rubs off on his team.
Lattimore is crucial to New Orleans' defense against division rivals that includes standout wide receivers Robby Anderson and DJ Moore. The Saints will be without veteran cornerback Bradley Roby, who was acquired in a trade last week from the Houston Texans. Paulson Adebo, a rookie cornerback, was able to intercept Aaron Rodgers from the Packers.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee), Tanoh Kpassagnon (calf), and P.J. (reserve defensive back) are all listed as questionable for Sunday's game. Williams (back), are listed as questionable in Sunday's game.
On Saturday, four Saints players were promoted from the practice roster to the active roster. They are defensive back Jordan Miller and linebacker Wynton MacManis. Center Austin Reiter, defensive end Jalyn Home, and defensive back Wynton McManis.
