Saints Face Injury Concerns After Loss to Bears

CHICAGO — The New Orleans Saints are grappling with injuries to key players after losing 26-14 to the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

Head coach Kellen Moore expressed concern over running back Kendre Miller and center Erik McCoy, both of whom left the field with injuries. Miller exited early in the game with a knee injury, while McCoy was ruled out in the fourth quarter due to an elbow or biceps issue. “There’s concern for both those guys,” Moore said. “We’ll see how it goes. Obviously, the tests will confirm it tomorrow.”

McCoy was emotional as he left the field and wore a sling post-game. Moore indicated the possibility of a biceps tear, which would require significant recovery time. McCoy, a veteran leader on the offensive line, has faced multiple injuries in past seasons but had not missed any games this year.

Miller, who replaced McCoy, has had a promising start to the season but now faces a potentially significant setback. The Saints were able to substitute rookie Devin Neal in his position, but should Miller miss time, he will take on a larger role.

Defensively, the Saints have previously avoided serious injuries, although they recently placed safety Julian Blackmon and defensive tackle Vernon Broughton on injured reserve.

The loss leaves the Saints with a disheartening 1-6 record as they prepare to face the NFC South-leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers next week. Their recent performances highlight a troubling trend, with the team currently ranking last in the league for points in the first quarter.

Despite the setback of injuries, wide receiver Chris Olave shone during the game, catching five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Moore praised Olave’s performance, saying, “I thought he played some really big-time football today. He made some big-time plays downfield.” This game marked Olave’s first multi-touchdown effort, showing promising growth as he recovers from last season’s injuries.

With crucial tests pending, the Saints are hoping for positive news regarding Miller and McCoy as they attempt to turn their season around against Tampa Bay.