Ryan Clark believes Bill Belichick will win Week 3 at home against the Saints. (0:56).
DALLAS -- Four New Orleans Saints players are back from injuries and the Saints are now in a better place.
They expect to be without three assistant coaches at New England on Sunday due to COVID-19 protocols, and seven starters due to injuries/suspension.
After all three of their COVID-19 tests were positive last week, the Saints announced that Brian Young, Ryan Nielsen, and Dan Roushar, tight ends coaches, will not be able to play Sunday's game.
In last Sunday's 26-7 win at Carolina, the Saints were without eight coaches and nine starters. Five coaches have returned to practice since then: WR coach Curtis Johnson and RB coach Joel Thomas; offensive analyst Jim Chaney; Declan Doyle, offensive assistant Declan Doyle, special teams assistant Phil Galiano; This week, no new coaches were tested positive.
After being ruled out of the team on Friday, the Saints were able to get one of their assistant coaches (offensive line coach Brendan Nugent) back on Saturday. This week, it is unclear if this is still possible. The coaches have all been vaccinated so they may be able to take two negative tests within 24 hours.
Saints have been practicing in Dallas/Fort Worth for the past four weeks after Hurricane Ida. They were due to fly to New England Friday evening.
The Saints have ruled out center Erik McCoy, who was injured in his calf for the second consecutive week. After missing only one game last week, Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore will be back in action.
C.J., starting safety After practicing on Friday, C.J. Gardner-Johnson (knee), Pete Werner (hamstring), and Tanoh Kpassagnon(calf) will all be back in the lineup. They all missed last week’s game. None of them were listed in question.
Six other Saints projected Week 1 starters are still out of the team: WR Michael Thomas is on the physically inunable to perform list; and DT David Onyemata due to a suspension.
McCoy's loss for the Saints is significant. They were plagued with communication and protection issues last week and gained just 128 yards and six first downs. This was the lowest total since 2006, when Sean Payton took over as coach. Quarterback Jameis Winston, who was also sacked four more times, threw his two first interceptions of the season.
Despite losing McCoy on their opening drive, the Saints prevailed at the line-of-scrimmage to win 38-3 over the Green Bay Packers. After stressing them throughout practice, Nugent said they could fix the communication problems.
"Look, Sean [Payton] stated that [the problem] was all over the board. Everyone had a piece. Nugent stated that there is no single suspect. It was just that it was loud and we weren’t receiving the communication we used to. And it all starts with everyone.
"We are working hard to improve our skills -- and we will. It is becoming easier. Communication was a positive aspect of our week. It's all a matter talking.
Cesar Ruiz (second-year pro) was the Saints' 2020 first-round draft selection. He replaced McCoy in the first two games. Ruiz was the center for Michigan.
