We've gotten a look at the final injury report for Week 5's game between the New Orleans Saints (1-3) and Minnesota Vikings (4-0), but we still have some questions to answer. Who's in? Who's out? And who has a chance to play on Sunday? Let's break down the injury report and highlight the situations to monitor going into this matchup at the Caesars Superdome.
Ruled out with injury
- LB Kaden Elliss (calf) missed a second week of practice and will not play, leaving a big hole in the middle of Brandon Staley's defense. Elliss was one of the team's biggest free agency investments and his absence mmakes the entire defense less dynamic
- LB Anfernee Jennings (knee) also did not practice this week and will not dress out against the Vikings. He's an underrated defender against the run and we saw just how badly the team missed him on Monday night.
- OL Jeremiah Wright (concussion) couldn't finish practice on Thursday and didn't return to the field on Friday while following the NFL's concussion protocol. The rookie right guard has a bright future so it's important to give him time to heal up.
The Minnesota Vikings ruled out starting left tackle Christian Darrisaw (concussion) and cornerback Charles Demmings (hamstring). With starting left guard Donovan Jackson out for the season with his own injury, the left side of their offensive line is looking vulnerable.
Questionable to play
- S Julian Blackmon (shoulder) was limited at practice this week and is questionable to play. He's been the starter next to Justin Reid and, if he can't go, would force the Saints to adapt their plans for Jonas Sanker and Jordan Howden as the nickel and dime defensive backs, respectively.
- WR Barion Brown (thigh) missed Wednesday's practice but ramped up throughout the week, and his arrow is trending in the right direction. He was limited on Thursday and practiced fully on Friday. The team's best kick returner has had some nice moments to start his rookie season.
- LB Jaylan Ford (ankle) returned to practice this week and was full-go in all three sessions, but the team isn't rushing to declare his return to the 53-man roster. They do still have another week for him to practice while remaining on injured reserve before reactivating him. But you have to wonder how patient they'll be with Kaden Elliss unavailable.
- RB Alvin Kamara (back) did not practice to start the week, but he was a limited participant on both Thursday and Friday. The team is very shorthanded at running back now with Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve.
- DL Christen Miller (illness) practiced fully for most of the week after missing a couple of games with his toe injury, but he was a healthy scratch for Monday's game and the team may not be ready to put him back out there just yet. Missing practice on Friday won't help.
- DB Lorenzo Styles Jr. (calf) practiced fully this week, but he's questionable for Sunday and may not return from injured reserve just yet. The Saints do have another week of practice time for him to get back up to speed before making a decision.
Five different Vikings players are questionable for Sunday: wide receivers Justin Jefferson (ankle) and Jordan Addison (hamstring);
center Michael Jurgens (elbow), who practiced fully this week; right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee), and tight end Ben Yurosek (ankle).
Available for Week 5
- TE Noah Fant (abdomen) returned to practice on a limited basis for most of the week, but he was a full-go on Friday and is expected to play. We saw how badly the run game missed him as a blocker out on the edge but he was responsible for two touchdown catches just two weeks ago, too.
- DL Davon Godchaux (groin, not injury related/rest) had his usual rest day on Thursday despite leaving the Falcons game with a groin issue. Promising your starting nose tackle a day off each week when you're giving up 200 rushing yards is certainly a choice.
- DL Nathan Shepherd (not injury related/rest) didn't practice on Friday, which has become routine for him. He's the co-starter next to Godchaux and the decision to rest these guys when the defense is performing so badly is puzzling.
- EDGE Carl Granderson (ankle) is expected back in the lineup after upgrading from limited reps to full participation on Friday. The run defense missed him badly against the Falcons but they'll need more guys to pull their weight even with him back.
- WR Chris Olave (not injury related/rest, foot) was given the day off to start the week, and nobody deserves it more than their best player. But his foot was stepped on by another player Thursday and he was seen wearing aa walking boot after practice. That turned out to be more of a precaution than a sign of something worse, as Olave practiced fully on Friday and will play Sunday. The decision to play him late against Atlanta, down multiple scores, before he took a bad hit has drawn deserved criticism for Kellen Moore.
- CB Jayden Price (not injury related/personal) didn't practice on Thursday but returned too a full day's work on Friday and is expected to play.
- S Mike Reid (ankle) was limited to start the week but upgraded to full practice reps for both Thursday and Friday. He's been a key asset on special teams.
- QB Tyler Shough (left hand) had been dealing with soreness in his non-throwing hand after taking a hit against Atlanta, but he practiced fully on Thursday and Friday and is good to go.
Three Vikings players were listed on the injury report this week but are expected to play without limitations: running back Aaron Jones (not injury related/rest) and safety Harrison Smith (not injury related/rest), who both received limited reps on Wednesday or Friday, respectively; and punter Brett Horson (right hamstring) who practiced fully while receiving treatment.
Injured reserve and PUP lists
As was the case last week, the following Saints players are on injured reserve with season-ending injuries: defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, running back Ty Chandler, cornerback David Long Jr., tight end Moliki Matavao, offensive lineman Dillon Radunz, and cornerback Rejzohn Wright. However, a couple of others have been designated to return after sitting out at least four games: linebacker Jaylan Ford, who practiced fully throughout the week, and rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson, who isn't expected back until after the bye week in November. Rookie safety Lorenzo Style Jr. is also eligible to return from IR after practicing fully this week. Long snapper Zach Wood and running back Travis Etienne Jr. are both expected to return later this year but it sounds like we won't see left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. until December at the soonest. Offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri is on the season-ending PUP list (physically unable to perform), while wide receiver Mason Tipton is eligible to return after missing four games. Tipton has not returned to practice yet.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Who's in, who's out? Breaking down the Saints-Vikings injury report
