Four New Orleans Saints players were ruled out on the final Week 7 injury report for Thursday night’s game with the Denver Broncos, and two more are questionable to play. Two Broncos players were preemptively ruled out and three of their own are questionable to play.
But before we get to that, this bit is a surprise — quarterback Derek Carr (oblique) is doubtful to play, not ruled out altogether. You don’t often see players listed as doubtful suiting up on game days, much less starting at quarterback, but it happens just often enough to make you wary. Fans should still expect rookie QB Spencer Rattler to get the start. Taysom Hill (rib) is also listed as doubtful to play.
Now as for the others? Wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) won’t play, and neither will several other starters including right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee), wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (knee), and linebacker Pete Werner (hamstring). Center/left guard Lucas Patrick (chest) and defensive tackle Khalen Saunders (back) are both questionable. It’s a new injury for Saunders, so he may not be able to go. Shaheed is having meniscus surgery and may be done for the year, but that’s no sure thing yet.
Here’s the full injury report from Wednesday:
