METAIRIE, Louisiana – The New Orleans Saints are even thinner in the wide receiver after putting Tre’Quan Smith on the reserve due to an ankle injury they suffered in Sunday’s 32-29 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Smith, who is a prominent blocker, in addition to his role as a pass receiver, will have to lose at least three games, including the opening game of the Saints.
Santos receivers Michael Thomas (ankle) and Deonte Harris (neck) are already on the IR for the remainder of the regular season – although coach Sean Payton said the goal is for Thomas to be as close to 100% as possible at the start of the season. season. decisive games.
“I just felt with Mike that it was very clear,” said Payton. “Dude, he was working hard, he was productive and he took eight balls, nine balls. But it wasn’t going to get better until football stopped, just because of the nature of the ankle sprain. , ‘so I think our approach would have been very different. But we have a good feeling that it may be closer to its 100% – and I don’t know if it’s exactly its 100% – – but closer to the maximum speed. that’s a great asset for us. And to be fair to him now, we have some of that luxury. “
The Saints (10-4) secured a place in the playoff. And they can win their fourth consecutive NFC South title with yet another victory or defeat for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) in the final two weeks. The Saints still have a chance to reach the NFC seed number 1, but they need help from other teams.
New Orleans lost two consecutive games, and the lack of depth in the receiver was noticeable in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City. Drew Brees started with passes from 0 to 6 for the first time in his career before trying to recover the Saints with three touchdown passes.
On a positive note, the Saints activated rookie receiver Marquez Callaway from the IR roster in time for Friday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings. Callaway took eight passes for 75 yards in a game earlier this season, when the Saints’ receiving position was similarly reduced. New Orleans’ active recipients for Friday will be Emmanuel Sanders, Callaway, Austin Carr, Lil’Jordan Humphrey and Juwan Johnson.
Smith, a third round draft pick from Central Florida, set records in his third NFL season with 34 receptions and 448 yards before suffering an ankle injury on Sunday. He had four touchdown shots – one shy of the five he had in each of the first two seasons.
The Saints also ruled out free safety holder Marcus Williams (ankle) and part-time holder Nick Easton (concussion).
Guard Andrus Peat (ankle), defensive side Trey Hendrickson (neck) and striker Malcom Brown (calf) are questionable.