Saints
Injury Woes and Standout Performances: A Recap of New Orleans Saints Training Camp
The New Orleans Saints face a laundry list of injuries as they progress through their training camp. Day nine proved challenging for the team, with several key players nursing various ailments.
Bryan Breese and Demario Davis were absent from practice due to calf injuries. Additionally, Tre’Quan Smith and Rashid Shaheed left practice early with groin injuries.
However, the most severe damage occurred at the beginning of practice when Eno Benjamin suffered a devastating incident. While attempting to move during a route, Benjamin collapsed to the ground. The Saints’ medical staff fears that he has ruptured his Achilles tendon, which could sideline him considerably.
Kendre Miller was also affected during an 11-on-11 drill, suffering a jaw injury that forced him to leave the field. Fortunately, Miller showed resilience and returned to practice later.
When questioned about the significance of these early camp injuries, Saints’ head coach, Dennis Allen, acknowledged that injuries are an unfortunate aspect of the sport and are more likely to occur during intense training camps. He emphasized the team’s responsibility to take preventive measures and ensure the players’ health and well-being.
The Saints had a productive red zone day during practice despite the injuries. Tight ends Lucas Kroll and Foster Moreau stood out, with Kroll stealing the spotlight with a remarkable one-handed touchdown grab during an 11-on-11 Red Zone drill. The play saw quarterback Jake Haener targeting Kroll, and he expertly outperformed his coverage by JT Gray.
Lucas Kroll’s journey with the Saints has been challenging. Spending most of his rookie season on the practice squad, he is now eager to make his mark in a highly competitive tight end roster. The coaches have taken notice of his progress and believe he has the potential to make a significant impact on the team. Allen expressed his confidence in Kroll’s abilities and noted that despite being one of the youngest players in the tight end group, Kroll is rising to the occasion and answering the call to step up.
In addition to the on-field actions, the players had to cope with the sweltering heat during training camp. Despite the challenging conditions, the Saints continued to push themselves, culminating the practice with gassers. Head coach Dennis Allen joined his players in running each gasser, showing his commitment to unity and leading by example. Day nine also saw former Saints’ great Marques Colston at the training camp. His appearance likely inspired the players to perform best on the field.
Looking ahead, the Saints will return to the practice field for day ten, determined to overcome the setbacks caused by injuries and showcase their talents as they prepare for the upcoming season.
In summary, injuries have tested the New Orleans Saints’ resolve during training camp, but standout performances from players like Lucas Kroll have brought moments of excitement and optimism. As the team perseveres through the challenges, the coaching staff and players alike focus on building a solid foundation for a successful season.
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