The New Orleans Saints are on a three-game winning streak and tied in the loss column with the first-place Tampa Bay Bucs in the NFC South, but the Saints might have to start third-string quarterback Trevor Siemian this Sunday at home vs. the Atlanta Falcons depending on the health status of No. 1 Jameis Winston and No. 2 Taysom Hill. Oddsmakers opened New Orleans as 5-point favorites, but that certainly could change depending. It is expected that Winston will be ruled out for the year later Monday. Drew Brees will not be coming out of retirement to replace him.
Winston injured his left knee with 12:21 remaining in the second quarter of Sunday's game when he was dragged to the ground by Bucs linebacker Devin White and Winston's left leg bent awkwardly. White would be penalized for a horse-collar tackle. No MRI results on Winston's knee were available as of this writing but Coach Sean Payton said he fears it's a significant injury. Winston was 6-for-10 for 45 yards and a TD and rushed for 40 yards on four carries before leaving.
"I cried when I saw him coming in," acknowledged Payton. "It's hard."
Hill, who lost the starting battle in camp/preseason to Winston, has missed the past two in the league's concussion protocols. He hasn't even been able to practice since suffering a concussion against the Washington Football Team on Oct. 10. There is optimism he will be cleared for Week 9.
Thus, Siemian had to replace Winston against the Bucs and the ex-Broncos starter played pretty well, going 16-for-29 for 159 yards and a touchdown. The former seventh-round pick out of Northwestern is 13-12 in his starting career, last taking one in 2019 with the Jets. His last starting victory came in 2017 with the Broncos. During halftime of Sunday night's Cowboys-Vikings game on NBC, Brees said that he won't be coming out of retirement.
Not clear if Atlanta will have top wideout Calvin Ridley. The 2020 Pro Bowler announced Sunday he has to "step away from football at this time" to focus on his mental health. He missed his second game of the season because of it. Ridley has 31 catches for 281 yards and two touchdowns this season.
"These past few weeks have been very challenging and as much as I'd like to be on the field competing with my teammates, I need to step away from football at this time and focus on my mental wellbeing," Ridley said in a statement on Twitter. "This will help me be the best version of myself now and in the future."
The Falcons lost without him Sunday, 19-13 at home to Carolina. Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold left with a concussion and his status for this week vs. New England is up in the air. P.J. Walker, who finished Sunday's game, would be the starter against the Patriots if Darnold can't go – and since guys usually miss one game at least with a concussion, it likely will be Walker, the former XFL player who won his lone NFL start last year. Carolina opened +3 at home vs. New England.
The NFL Trade Deadline is Tuesday afternoon and the Panthers have been linked to Deshaun Watson. Coach Matt Rhule said it was premature to determine whether the team will need to acquire another QB before the deadline or sign a free agent – no, Cam Newton isn't going back to Carolina.
Might the Saints look into Newton if Winston is out long term? The only other QB currently on the New Orleans roster is rookie Ian Book from Notre Dame. Pro Football Talk reported the Saints aren't interested in Newton.
Four teams are on the bye this week: Detroit, Washington, Tampa Bay and Seattle.
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