New Orleans Saints Face Denver Broncos Amidst Injuries and NFL Debut Challenges

In preparation for Thursday night’s NFL Week 7 game, the New Orleans Saints are gearing up to face the Denver Broncos at the Caesars Superdome. The Saints, currently holding a 2-4 record, are aiming to break a four-game losing streak after a challenging 51-27 defeat by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their previous matchup.

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler made his NFL debut against the Buccaneers, completing 22 of 40 passes for 243 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. Rattler also rushed seven times for 27 yards. Reflecting on his performance, Rattler emphasized the importance of staying composed in the pocket and maintaining focus throughout the game.

The Saints managed to accumulate 303 yards against Tampa Bay but struggled in the red zone, converting just two of four opportunities into touchdowns. Offensive woes were exacerbated by injuries, with top players like receiver Chris Olave exiting early with a concussion, and Rashid Shaheed, the team leader in receiving yards, absent from practice due to a knee injury.

Looking ahead to their matchup against the Broncos, the Saints anticipate a challenging game. Denver’s defense enters the contest ranked fourth in points allowed and total yards allowed, posing a significant obstacle for Rattler and the Saints’ offense. Furthermore, the Saints continue to battle injuries on their roster, notably in their offensive line, with Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz still out of action.

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expressed optimism about Rattler’s readiness and ability to execute the team’s game plan despite the brief turnaround between games. “He didn’t change throughout the game. He continued exactly as it was in practice, so I was excited to see that,” Kubiak said.

The Saints will depend heavily on emerging talents like Bub Means and Mason Tipton, who are expected to see increased playing time due to the injuries affecting key players. Means caught his first NFL touchdown against Tampa Bay, while veteran Cedric Wilson Jr. aims to provide additional support in the passing game.

The practice report for the Saints noted several key injuries, with linebacker Pete Werner (hamstring) and quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) sitting out, while a number of players, including Taysom Hill and Alvin Kamara, were limited.