The New Orleans Saints received another wave of troubling injury news during Day 17 of training camp.
Running back Ty Chandler is expected to miss the entire season with a knee injury, while tight end Moliki Matavao has been placed on injured reserve. Running back Devin Neal is also dealing with another hamstring problem involving the same leg that previously bothered him.
Chris Olave provided another scare when he left practice early with a trainer after landing hard on his back. However, head coach Kellen Moore did not indicate that the wide receiver had suffered a major injury.
Here is everything Who Dat Nation needs to know from Saints Camp Day 17.
Ty Chandler Expected to Miss the Season
The most serious development involves Chandler, who is expected to be sidelined for the season because of his knee injury.
His anticipated absence takes another player out of a Saints backfield that has already dealt with multiple health concerns during training camp. Chandler was competing for a role in the running back rotation and could have contributed on special teams.
New Orleans must now determine whether its remaining backs provide enough depth or if another roster move will be needed before the regular season.
Devin Neal’s Hamstring Raises Additional Concern
Neal is dealing with a hamstring injury affecting the same leg as his previous issue.
That detail makes his recovery particularly important to monitor. Recurring soft-tissue injuries can become more difficult to manage when a player attempts to return too quickly, especially during the physical demands of training camp.
The Saints will need to be careful with Neal’s workload while evaluating their remaining backfield options.
Moliki Matavao Placed on Injured Reserve
The Saints have placed Matavao on injured reserve because of a knee injury.
Matavao was expected to miss time after sustaining the injury, and the move to injured reserve removes him from the current active roster. His absence creates another opening in the competition for snaps and roster positions at tight end.
The remaining tight ends will receive additional practice repetitions and opportunities to prove they can handle larger roles.
Chris Olave Leaves Practice Early
Olave was slow to get up after attempting to make a play on a deep pass. He subsequently left the field with a trainer after landing hard on his back.
Moore said Olave may have gotten the wind knocked out of him. When asked whether further testing was required or if there was additional cause for concern, Moore said the medical staff had not informed him of anything beyond the initial incident.
That is encouraging, but Olave’s condition remains worth watching until he returns to practice without limitations.
The Saints cannot afford a significant injury to their top receiver as the offense prepares for the regular season.
Christen Miller and Bub Means Return
Day 17 also provided some welcome news.
Defensive tackle Christen Miller and wide receiver Bub Means both returned to practice. There were no other new absences reported from the session.
Getting Miller and Means back on the field gives the coaching staff more opportunities to evaluate both position groups before the Saints finalize their roster.
Efficient Day for the Saints Offense
The offense delivered an efficient performance centered largely around short and intermediate completions.
There was plenty of work underneath rather than a consistent emphasis on deep passes. That approach allowed the quarterbacks and receivers to establish rhythm while keeping the offense moving.
Olave’s early departure followed one of the team’s downfield attempts.
Saints Mix Up First-Team and Second-Team Units
New Orleans changed the competitive matchups late in practice.
The first-team offense worked against the second-team defense, while the first-team defense faced the second-team offense. The Saints used a similar practice strategy last year.
These matchups allow coaches to evaluate reserve players against top-level competition while giving starters different challenges. They can also help identify depth players capable of holding up when injuries force them into expanded roles.
Injuries Continue to Test the Saints’ Depth
The Saints left Day 17 with encouraging returns from Miller and Means, but the mounting injury situation remains the biggest story.
Chandler is expected to miss the season, Matavao has been moved to injured reserve and Neal is managing another injury to the same hamstring. Olave’s situation does not currently sound serious, but the team will monitor its top receiver closely.
New Orleans must now protect its remaining healthy players while determining whether additional roster moves are necessary.
Watch Big Q break down the complete Saints Camp Day 17 update:
What concerns you most: the season-ending outlook for Chandler, Neal’s recurring hamstring issue or the Saints’ overall depth? Join the conversation below and let us know what you think.
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