The New Orleans Saints were holding their doors indoors Thursday afternoon at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center when Hurricane Laura from rainstorms crashed into the waves over Metairie.
The Saints were one of the few teams around the NFL that practiced Thursday because of several organizations – including the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans and Washington Football Team – chose to cancel the practice and / or team activities. They sat out in response to police who shot seven times Sunday in Kenosha, Wisconsin, a black man named Jacob Blake, paralyzing him.
The Saints opted for practice, but players wore stickers with Blake’s name on their helmets. Traditionally, Saints players have their last names on the fronts of their helmets during training camp.
PARTICIPATION
Two new absences were wide receiver Michael Thomas and defensive end Marcus Davenport. It is not yet known why no player was absent.
Thursday, status quo remained on hold Andrus Peat (thumb) a linebacker Anthony Chickillo (unknown), because they have now missed all nine practices that have stood open to the media.
In addition, veteran security Malcolm Jenkins missed his third consecutive rehearsal, though he appeared on CNN on Thursday morning.
Rookie linebacker Zack Baun missed his second day of practice, and defensive lineman Jalen Dalton was also absent after tearing his triceps earlier this week.
Quarterback Drew Brees came back to team practice after sitting down Wednesday.
ATTACKING LINE
Rookie Cesar Ruiz worked in the center for the fourth straight day with Erik McCoy at right guard. Nick Easton remained filling in for the injured Peat at left guard.
BREES EXHIBITION
Quarterback Drew Brees sent out a pass that traveled at least 40 yards on Thursday, and found unlimited rookie receiver Juwan Johnson with the long throw. Johnson, though draping in the cover, came up with the catch and apparently shot off the turf while making the reception, making a loud bang. He then jumped straight up again, but he will probably feel that for a while.
With Thomas out Thursday, one of Brees’ favorite goalscorers was receiver Bennie Fowler. During the final period of practice, Brees tried three times to throw Fowler’s way. Two were caught, one not. Earlier in practice, Brees sent one out to Fowler for what appeared to be more than 25 yards.
During that five-game series, Brees also connected with wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders en Ty Montgomery.
When Brees later returned, he took three snaps. He scrambled and held one, then went through twice to Sanders, and went 1-of-2.
TAYMEIS ROUNDUP
Quarterback Taysom Hill completed all three of the passes he threw in the last team period, and found wide receiver Marquez Callaway, wide receiver Deonte Harris and tight end Josh Hill. One game went wrong when he was “fired” by a defensive end (no live tackle) Carl Granderson. Hill, despite taking the sack, attempted a pass in thick cover, and cornerback Justin Hardee caught it.
Quarterback Jameis Winston was in for a series to end the practice. At that station, Winston only threw to several players, including Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Dwayne Washington en Tony Jones Jr. – but the best game of them all came at the last snap of practice, when Winston, after playing out of pocket, found Callaway in the end zone.
Earlier in practice during a point session, Winston worked on the other side of the field with Sanders.
FOLLOWING
The Saints return to camp for their 10th practice Friday. It will be at their training facility and looks like a scrimmage.
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