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The New Orleans Saints (2-10) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5) will engage in an NFC South rematch this Sunday. Some big names for both New Orleans and Tampa Bay will be sidelined by injuries when these teams square off, with the Buccaneers being heavily favored. Here is Friday’s final injury report of the week for both sides.
Saints injury report
Out
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▪︎ RT Taliese Fuaga (ankle)▪︎ RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle)▪︎ S Justin Reid (knee)
Questionable
▪︎ WR Chris Olave (back)
It’s no surprise that Fuaga, Kamara, and Reid will sit out. None of the three practiced at all this week. Asim Richards will likely take Fuaga’s place, making this a key area to watch with Cesar Ruiz already on this side at guard and facing skilled Buccaneers edge rushers. Kamara misses his second straight outing, with rookie Devin Neal probably getting the bulk of snaps and touches. Neal had his moments against the Dolphins last week, but doesn’t have Kamara’s receiving skills or elusiveness in space. Reid hasn’t played at a high level this season, but his absence robs the defensive backfield of its most experienced member. His snaps are likely going to be split between Jordan Howden and Terrell Burgess when the Saints employ five defensive backs. Olave is officially classified as a game-day decision, but is trending towards being able to play. He’s the team’s leading receiver by a wide margin. Quarterback Tyler Shough needs Olave along with Devaughn Vele and Juwan Johnson against a Buccaneers secondary that’s been a bit vulnerable.
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Buccaneers Injury Report
Out
▪︎ WR Mike Evans (collarbone – IR)▪︎ WR Jalen McMillan (neck – IR)▪︎ S Rashad Wisdom (quad – IR)
Questionable
▪︎ WR Chris Godwin (fibula)▪︎ LT Tristan Wirfs (oblique)
A beat-up Buccaneers squad is starting to get healthy for the stretch run. However, quarterback Baker Mayfield will still deal with a shorthanded receiving corps as Evans and McMillan remain on injured reserve despite returning to practice this week. Additionally, Godwin is considered a game-day decision and seems a 50/50 bet to play. The status of Wirfs is worth watching closely as game-day inactives are announced on Sunday morning. The star left tackle returned to practice on Friday in limited duty for the first time this week. If he is sidelined or slowed, this could mean a big game for Saints edge rusher Chase Young, who’s been on a tear the last several weeks.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Who’s in, who’s out? Final Saints-Buccaneers injury report for Week 14
