by Niles Carpenter/Saints Contributor

In the run-up to their highly anticipated Week 1 clash against the Tennessee Titans in the 2023 NFL season, the New Orleans Saints released their mid-week injury report, offering fans and analysts a glimpse into the team’s health status. The report provides both reassuring news and cause for concern for the Saints faithful.

Landon Young the promising young talent sidelined by an MCL injury during the preseason, seems to be on the road to recovery just in time for the New Orleans Saints‘ season opener against the Titans this Sunday. Despite his recent setback, the 2021 sixth-round pick’s determination and hard work have paid off, earning him a coveted spot on the team’s final 53-man roster in late August. With his return, Young is poised to make an impact alongside James Hurst as the Saints’ top swing tackles, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to the game.

New Orleans Saints star cornerback Marshon Lattimore finds himself on the road to recovery after a knee tweak during a joint practice with the Chargers on August 18. Lattimore was limited to individual drills for the remainder of training camp, and as the regular season draws near, it appears the Saints are playing it safe with their defensive cornerstone. While his participation in Wednesday’s practice was a positive sign, Lattimore’s status remains uncertain for the highly anticipated Week 1 matchup against the Titans on Sunday, September 10.

On the flip side of the injury report, there’s some good news for Saints fans as versatile playmaker Taysom Hill, who had been dealing with an oblique strain sustained during training camp, was notably absent from Wednesday’s injury report. This absence of an injury designation clears the way for Hill to take on his multifaceted role within the Saints offense as they gear up to face the Titans in Week 1. With running back Alvin Kamara serving a suspension for the first three weeks of the season, Hill’s ability to contribute in various capacities will be invaluable for the Saints as they look to start the season on a winning note.

One piece of positive news is the absence of starting quarterback Jameis Winston from the injury report. Winston had raised some eyebrows with a wrist injury suffered during the preseason, but it appears that this health concern is now behind him. This development is particularly significant as Winston is expected to serve as the primary backup to starting quarterback Derek Carr, providing a sense of stability to the quarterback position.

Another encouraging update is related to second-year wide receiver Shaheed, who had been recovering from a groin injury sustained on August 5th. Despite missing several weeks of practice, the Saints’ coaching staff remained confident in his readiness for the season opener against the Titans. With his name absent from the injury report, Shaheed is set to contribute as the team’s third wide receiver behind Chris Olave and Michael Thomas, bolstering the Saints’ receiving corps.

However, not all news from the mid-week injury report is rosy. Rookie third-round pick Kendre Miller, who had already grappled with a knee sprain in mid-August, did not participate in practice due to a hamstring issue. His absence raises concerns about his availability for Sunday’s game against the Titans, especially considering the depth chart at running back is already strained with Alvin Kamara serving a three-game suspension to begin the campaign. Jamaal Williams, Kirk Merritt, and practice-squad members Tony Jones and Jordan Mims are the available options for the Saints in the backfield.

In addition to these key players, the Saints also had several other players listed on the injury report, including Tre’Quan Smith, J.T. Gray, Marshon Lattimore, Ryan Ramczyk, and Jimmy Graham. Their statuses will be closely monitored as the week progresses to determine their availability for the Week 1 showdown.

As the Saints prepare for their season opener against the Titans, the mid-week injury report offers valuable insights into the team’s overall health and readiness. Fans will anxiously await updates leading up to the game, hoping for a clean bill of health for their beloved Saints as they kick off the 2023 NFL season.