13:02 PM
Sources confirmed to ESPN that the New Orleans Saints' top two quarterbacks are expected to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
Ian Book would be in line to make his debut against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football if they are unable to return.
The Saints have been without their head coach since last Friday because of a positive test.
Book has not tested positive, but the Saints will have to add depth since he is the only healthy quarterback on the roster or practice squad. The emergency quarterback would be the running back.
Book, who was drafted in the fourth round out of Notre Dame, would be the fifth different quarterback to start for the Saints during the 2021. Drew retired after two starts in the playoffs. Jameis had an injury in Week 8 that ended his season.
The Saints are dead last in the league in passing yards per game and completion percentage, as a result of that attrition.
No matter what happens at quarterback, the Saints will rely on a defense that shut out Tom Brady in last Sunday's win.
The first report on Hill's status was from the NFL Network.
It would be great if the Saints could get Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk back from their injuries.
Book was a starter at Notre Dame and went 30-5, finishing with the most wins in school history. He is just 6 feet tall, so he went lower in the draft. His ability to make plays when the pocket breaks down was one of his calling cards at Notre Dame.
The Saints have dealt with a lot of injuries, a lot of displacement to Texas, and now a lot of carbon dioxide issues. They were missing a large part of their assistant coaching staff because of the COVID outbreak.
The Broncos' quarterback room was wiped out by COVID protocols during the Saints game last year. The Broncos used a practice squad player at quarterback and direct snaps to running backs in a 31-3 loss to the Saints.
