Saints Regaining Strength: Key Players Could Return After Bye Week
The New Orleans Saints have endured a challenging start to the 2024 NFL season, but with the upcoming bye week, the team has a valuable opportunity to rest, regroup, and potentially welcome back key players from injury. Head coach Dennis Allen and the Saints’ medical staff are hoping that the time off will enable a number of crucial players to return to the lineup, offering a much-needed boost to the squad as they look to make a push toward playoff contention.
While the Saints have shown promise, their record has been inconsistent, which has raised concerns about both their offensive and defensive capabilities. However, if the team can regain full strength after the bye week, they may be poised to turn things around. Here’s a closer look at the key players who could be coming back after the bye week and how their returns could impact the Saints’ chances moving forward.
1. Derrick Carr: The Quarterback Situation
The most significant storyline for the Saints in 2024 has been the play of their quarterback, Derek Carr. Carr, a proven starter with years of experience in the NFL, was signed by the Saints in the offseason to be the centerpiece of their offense. However, his season has been hampered by a shoulder injury, which has limited his mobility and throwing power. The Saints’ offense has struggled to find a rhythm without Carr at full strength, and while backup Jameis Winston has been serviceable, he has not been able to elevate the offense to the level that many expected.
Carr’s return after the bye week would provide a major boost to the offense. His ability to make quick, accurate throws and keep the defense honest with his downfield passing is critical for the success of the Saints. Carr’s rapport with key receiving targets like Chris Olave and Michael Thomas has shown flashes of brilliance when he’s been healthy, but the injury has clearly held him back. With the time off, Carr will have the opportunity to heal and regain his form, which could make all the difference for the Saints in the second half of the season.
2. Michael Thomas: A Return to Form
Michael Thomas, once one of the most dominant wide receivers in the NFL, has faced a series of injuries in recent years that have limited his production. After missing a significant portion of the 2022 season and battling through injury woes in 2023, Thomas has been working hard to regain his elite form. This year, he has shown promise, but a lingering injury has once again sidelined him, limiting his ability to make a full impact on the field.
With the bye week on the horizon, Thomas will have additional time to rest and recover. If he can get back to 100% health, his return would be a major advantage for the Saints’ offense. Thomas’ precise route-running, ability to create separation, and strong hands make him a mismatch for most defensive backs. His presence alongside the speedy Chris Olave would give Carr two top-tier receiving targets, allowing the Saints to stretch the field and diversify their passing attack.
The Saints’ offense has sometimes relied too heavily on the deep ball, but with Thomas back, they could feature a more balanced approach, using Thomas on intermediate routes and Olave to stretch the field vertically. This dynamic could make the Saints’ passing game far more dangerous, taking pressure off the running game and giving Carr more opportunities to succeed.
3. Kamara’s Impact on the Ground Game
Alvin Kamara is one of the most versatile and explosive running backs in the NFL, and his presence on the field has always been a huge asset to the Saints’ offense. However, Kamara has also had to deal with his own injury issues, limiting his availability and effectiveness at times. When healthy, Kamara is a dual-threat, capable of breaking off big runs or catching passes out of the backfield. His ability to make defenders miss and pick up yardage in multiple ways gives the Saints an edge in both the run and passing game.
Kamara’s potential return to full health after the bye could provide a game-changing boost for the Saints’ offense. If Kamara can return to his pre-injury form, it will force defenses to respect both the run and the pass, making it more difficult to defend the Saints’ attack. Additionally, Kamara’s pass-catching ability out of the backfield would give Carr a reliable safety valve, helping to neutralize the pass rush and extend drives.
With the addition of Kamara back at full strength, the Saints could regain a balanced offensive approach that would be more difficult for opposing defenses to stop. If they can get their running game going with Kamara, it could set up play-action opportunities and open up space for the passing attack, making their offense much more dangerous.
4. The Return of Cornerback Marshon Lattimore
While the Saints’ offense has been a major storyline this season, the defense has also faced significant challenges. One of the team’s biggest losses on the defensive side of the ball has been the absence of cornerback Marshon Lattimore. Lattimore is one of the top cornerbacks in the league when healthy, known for his ability to shut down top-tier wide receivers and make game-changing plays in the secondary.
Lattimore’s absence has left a void in the secondary, with other players trying to step up in his place. However, without Lattimore’s lockdown ability, opposing quarterbacks have been able to exploit other parts of the Saints’ defense. The return of Lattimore after the bye would significantly strengthen the Saints’ pass defense. His ability to match up against the league’s best wide receivers would give the Saints’ defensive line more time to pressure the quarterback and create turnovers.
With Lattimore back, the Saints would have a much stronger back-end defense, enabling them to be more aggressive in their pass rush and limiting opposing teams’ ability to move the ball through the air. If Lattimore returns in full form, the Saints’ defense would become much more formidable, especially in key matchups against playoff-contending teams.
5. Potential Return of Offensive Line Players
Another key area where the Saints have struggled this season is in their offensive line play. Injuries along the offensive line have limited the team’s ability to protect the quarterback and establish a consistent running game. While the offensive line has shown improvement in recent weeks, the return of a fully healthy line could be the missing piece the team needs.
The most important player in this regard is left tackle Trevor Penning, who has been dealing with injuries. Penning was drafted to be a cornerstone of the offensive line, and his return would give the Saints much-needed stability and strength at the tackle position. With Penning and other key offensive line members like Ryan Ramczyk and Andrus Peat at full health, the Saints could improve their run blocking, which would free up Kamara and make the offense more balanced.
Improved protection for Carr would also allow him to take more chances downfield, increasing the vertical threat of the offense. The offensive line’s ability to protect the quarterback and open holes in the running game will be a critical factor in the Saints’ success post-bye week.
6. The Road Ahead
With the bye week fast approaching, the Saints’ focus will be on getting their injured players back to full health. If the likes of Carr, Thomas, Kamara, Lattimore, and others can return at or near their peak performance, the Saints could make a strong push for a playoff spot in the NFC.
Their remaining schedule includes matchups against both divisional rivals and other key contenders, and they will need to maximize their talent to succeed. A healthy lineup would give the Saints the offensive firepower and defensive strength needed to compete with the best teams in the league.
In conclusion, the New Orleans Saints’ upcoming bye week offers a golden opportunity for the team to regain key players from injury, which could help them turn their season around. If their stars like Derek Carr, Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, Marshon Lattimore, and others return at full strength, the Saints could become a serious contender in the NFC once again. The road ahead is not without challenges, but with a healthier roster, New Orleans is well-positioned to make a strong playoff push in the second half of the season.
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