The New Orleans Saints are in the thick of the race for NFC South supremacy and a victory over the Bucs a few weeks ago helped them toward that end. However, they have lost two since that Trick or Treat win at the end of October, and vacation plans could be made early if they don’t right the ship or if their injuries continue to mount. Let’s take a look at the walking wounded and if the Saints can overcome the challenges before them.

Key Injuries

Jameis Winston – In the second quarter of the Saints’ 36-27 win over the Bucs on Halloween, Winston was horse-collared by Tampa Bay’s linebacker Devin White. The resulting injuries were a torn ACL and a damaged MCL to his right knee. Only six days later the team placed him on the season-ending IR and so ended what appeared to be a mutually beneficial relationship that may still continue next season. Winston was a more disciplined and calculating quarterback than he exhibited in his five seasons with the Bucs. Fortunately, Trevor Siemian has taken the mantle and run with it but losing Winston doesn’t help the cause.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson – The 23-year-old safety has quickly become an important part of the Saints’ defense after he wrested the starting job last year as the nickel corner. He has also been used extensively on special teams. But he won’t be used anywhere for the foreseeable future as he has been placed on injured reserve and is now in a walking boot courtesy of a foot injury.

Alvin Kamara – The Saints signed veteran running back Mark Ingram to pick up the slack while the multi-talented Alvin Kamara is on the shelf. New Orleans’ third-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft is dealing with a nagging knee injury but he is expected to make his return against Philadelphia. These types of injuries, especially when they happen to critical players of a specific team, play a very important role in determining an outcome for a matchup and thus will vary the betting odds that are placed by the top the sportsbooks worldwide. Currently at +1½ -115, this would be a perfect opportunity to take advantage of a Caesars sportsbook bonus and make a wager on what should be a golden spot for the Saints to march all over the Eagles. 

Ty Montgomery – Sparingly used wideout, Ty Montgomery, made an appearance against the Titans after being sidelined with an injured finger. He will likely be back in uniform against the Eagles but nobody will notice except his awesome mom. 

Terron Armstead – The blindside tackle did not play against the Titans as he is dealing with knee and shoulder issues. He could suit up next week against Philadelphia but his status is unclear.

Michael Thomas – When healthy, Thomas is one of the most electric wide receivers in the league. However, the 28-year-old has yet to suit up this season and recently announced through his Twitter account that he would not be playing this year due to a lingering ankle injury that has continued to plague him. 

Thomas wrote, “I’ve always been a man of faith, and these past few months my faith has truly been tested. As many of you know, early last season I injured my ankle and worked extremely hard over the next few months to get back in time to finish the season. Unfortunately, the rehab didn’t go as planned and earlier this offseason it was apparent I would need to have a procedure to repair the injury. 

“Since then, the team and I have worked diligently, day and night to rehab and get me back on the field. Unfortunately, there has been another small setback which we will have to address. To my displeasure, I will not be able to make it back in time for this season but will do everything in my power to get back to the player I have always been. I know God doesn’t make mistakes so I will continue to follow in his path, and can’t wait to be back on the field in front of the best fans on the planet.”

Payton Turner – The Saints’ first-round pick in April’s draft is officially on injured reserve with a shoulder injury but the 22-year-old product of the University of Houston has been unable to stay healthy in his rookie campaign. Calf and elbow injuries have precluded him from suiting up against the Seahawks and Bucs and now the shoulder is the latest knockout blow. 

And the Rest – The Saints have been bitten in a big way by the injury bug this season and it has affected players all over the field. Offensive linemen, Andrus Peat and Ethan Greenidge have both been sidelined this season. 

Veteran kicker, Wil Lutz, has not swung his leg in uniform this season after he announced he will not be returning this season as he is still recovering from core muscle surgery he had in the offseason. 

Notre Dame product, Tony Jones Jr., has only had a scattering of activity this year but an ankle injury has taken him out of action since Week 4 when he was injured against the Giants, and a return this season is unlikely.