Saints designate three more players to return from injured reserve

More help is on the way for the New Orleans Saints with three more players designated to return from injured reserve on Thursday, all of whom practiced with their teammates for the first time in weeks. Saints head coach Sean Payton said this was coming during his morning media availability session, and now we know exactly which players are working their way back.

While there’s a chance they could play on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks, that shouldn’t be our expectation. Designating them to return only opens a window in which they can practice. If they’re able to play so soon, get excited. But don’t expect that and then feel let down.

New Orleans previously designated a list of starters including kicker Wil Lutz, linebacker Kwon Alexander, defensive end Marcus Davenport, and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith to come back from injuries. Here’s who joined them:

TE Nick Vannett

New Orleans Saints tight end Nick Vannett (81) runs a drill during the team’s NFL football training camp practice in Metairie, La., Monday, Aug. 9, 2021. (David Grunfeld/The Advocate via AP)

A preseason knee injury sidelined Vannett in August, and he’s been absent for a longer span than the two to four-week absence initially expected. But once healthy he should help the Saints by accomplishing many of the small things that Adam Trautman has struggled with as a blocker. That could lead to enough modest improvements to really boost the Saints offense across the board. Just don’t expect Vannett’s return to impact Juwan Johnson’s receiving numbers too much.

CB Ken Crawley

New Orleans Saints cornerback Ken Crawley (25) during the team stretch at NFL football training camp in Metairie, Saturday, July 31, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

Crawley was projected to start in Week 1 until a preseason injury knocked him out of action, opening the door for Paulson Adebo to start in his place. And the rookie has done such a solid job that the Saints’ early-season trade acquisition Bradley Roby has mainly played in dime packages, while another capable veteran (Desmond Trufant) was released to pursue other opportunities. Crawley returning will be good for the unit’s overall depth, but there are at least three players ahead of him on the depth chart.

LB Chase Hansen

New Orleans Saints linebacker Chase Hansen (42) warms up during an NFL football training camp practice at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center in Metairie, La., Friday, Aug. 28, 2020. (David Grunfeld/The Advocate via AP, Pool)

The backup linebacker played well enough in preseason to crack the roster, though he didn’t get on the field early on. His future with the team is murky given Andrew Dowell’s excellent play on special teams and Kwon Alexander returning near the top of the depth chart (where Pete Werner has made a very strong case to remain a starter). Maybe Hansen will continue to be a healthy scratch on game days once his groin muscle injury is healed.

Who is left on injured reserve?

New Orleans Saints running back Tony Jones, Jr. (34) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Running back Tony Jones Jr. is the only player remaining on injured reserve who can return to play this season, but he’s going to remain on the sidelines for a few more weeks while he continues to recover.

Three other players are out for the year: defensive tackle Jalen Dalton, offensive tackle Ethan Greenidge, and rookie tight end Dylan Soehner. None of them can return to play in 2021, but they should each figure into the team’s plans to some degree for 2022.

Additionally, star wide receiver Michael Thomas is on the physically unable to perform list, not injured reserve. It looks like he’ll need more time before he can return to play.

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