Saints – Panthers injury final report: questionable Marshon Lattimore, Kwon Alexander out

The New Orleans Saints, who have been running out of offensive coaches all week, will be starved of several defensive players on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. While a few players were not due to play this weekend, there were a few major surprises throughout the week.

Center Erik McCoy and forward Marcus Davenport are set to miss several weeks due to injuries sustained against the Green Bay Packers last weekend. Davenport has already been transferred to the injured reserve, which means he will be out for at least the next three weeks. McCoy is also a candidate for the IRs, as he is also expected to miss the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, linebacker Kwon Alexander, who miraculously recovered from an Achilles tendon injury in last year’s Christmas game, has also been moved to the reserve list with his knee injury.

Alexander is a big loss for the Saints against an athletic attack in Carolina led by running back Christian McCaffrey. His return to the Saints at the peak of 2021 was immediately felt. He made two big plays in the first practice against the Packers, showing the impact he’s having on that Saints defense. Unfortunately, without Alexander, the Saints will also be rookie Pete Werner and former UDFA jewel Chase Hansen who will both be out for Sunday’s game.

This means that the WILL linebacker spot not only goes to second-year linebacker Zack Baun, but depth could also be a concern.

Despite all of this bad news, there are potential liners on this list. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore ended his contest last week with several stellar plays, a new contract and a cast after a bone shard in his right thumb. The injury required surgery earlier this week, but Lattimore is still considered questionable before the weekend. Side partner CJ Gardner-Johnson is also questionable.

Losing these two key players this weekend against a talented and athletic receiving body is far from ideal, to say the least. Having one or the other would bring an immense sense of relief to the unit.

Photo by Sam Greenwood / Getty Images

In addition to the two star corners, defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon and safety PJ Williams will also be questionable. Kpassagnon replaced Davenport in Week 1 after coming out with an injury and performing well. He was able to enter the backfield for a strip sack on Jordan Love, forcing the team’s second red zone to win. However, he did not participate in training all week.

Williams could be a necessary commodity depending on Gardner-Johnson’s status. Before Williams got to safety, he was the Saints’ best corner option. He could reprise his role should the Saints prefer to have newly acquired rookie Paulson Adebo and Bradley Roby on the outside. Although Roby has a long resume of success in the slot machine, and the addition of free agent Desmond Trufant saw some time last week while Lattimore was away.

On the Panthers side, it will be worth watching the trenches. Both Taylor Moton and DaQuan Jones are listed without a game designation, which means they are meant to be playing. But their injuries could mean they’re not 100% doing it. This could be good news for Cameron Jordan on the defensive end and the Saints’ inside offensive line which could also be overhauled this week.

No one handles adversity like Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints. These injuries, compounded by not having key offensive assistants / post coaches throughout the week, only raise the bar for a team that continues to show up when their backs are against the wall. Will they be able to start again against division rival Carolina Panthers?

Be sure to follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC , “Like us” on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you have subscribed to our new youtube channel.