Don't Miss Out: Major Player Comebacks at Saints' Open Training Camp Practice

The Saints hit the field in New Orleans for the first time in training camp with a healthy dose of fans in the stands at Tulane's Yulman Stadium.

John Hendrix | Aug 21, 2024

Derek Carr and the Saints offensive line go through drills during their training camp practice at Tulane's Yulman Stadium. / Hendrix Media | New Orleans Saints

In this story:

New Orleans Saints

NEW ORLEANS -- The Saints held their first local practice after making their return from California early Monday morning. The team hosted fans for an open session at Tulane's Yulman Stadium and practiced in shells. Here's what Day 19 of training camp looked like for the black and gold in the attendance department and some early takeaways.

Saints Training Camp Recap - Day 19

Spencer Rattler goes through drills during Saints training camp practice at Tulane's Yulman Stadium. / Hendrix Media | Saints News Network

ATTENDANCE

Among those not spotted included Rashid Shaheed (toe/foot), Marshon Lattimore, Kendre Miller (hamstring), Kool-Aid McKinstry (knee), Rico Payton (shoulder), Isaiah Stalbird (ankle), Jaylan Ford (hamstring), Monty Rice, Nick Saldiveri (calf), Trajan Jeffcoat (elbow), Mason Tipton (hamstring), Dallin Holker (ankle), Kevin Rader and Chase Young (personal).

Some key players were back for the Saints, which included Juwan Johnson, Alvin Kamara and Taliese Fuaga. Paulson Adebo was also present. Johnson and Kamara participated in drills, but not in team. Fuaga participated in walkthroughs and worked solo near the group of offensive linemen during position drills.

OPENING DRIVE

Saints fans arrive early for training camp practice at Tulane's Yulman Stadium. / Hendrix Media | Saints News Network

Great to be back in New Orleans, and Yulman Stadium is always a good time. The Saints didn't have practice here last year, but it was a good way for them to kick off their final stretch of training camp.

Oli Udoh got some starting reps at right tackle. Dennis Allen maintains that nothing is set in stone when it comes to the left guard and right tackle spot.

Demario Davis was a full participant in team drills today, If he's not fully ready to go, then he's extremely close.

Charlie Smyth might have stole the show a little from tonight's practice. He went 7/8 and hit from extra point, 40, 45, 50, 55 (right), 60 and 65. The one miss from was from 55 (left). The make from 65 yards had room to spare and was just another example of how effortless his can make kicks look.

There were some missed connections between Derek Carr and Chris Olave. I know these things happen, but that hasn't really been the norm. Both do need to make sure they're on the same page for ultimate offensive success for New Orleans.

The first team struggled some early but was able to rally late. Derek Carr helped lead an end of game sequence with 1:48 left on the clock and a timeout. He connected with Foster Moreau from the 2-yard-line on 3rd-and-Goal for the go-ahead score with 0:18 left.

Getting Juwan Johnson back in the mix is going to be a big boost for the Saints passing attack. He is going to the get the ramp up treatment like every player, but he mentioned that he knew he was going to beat out the original timeline that was set for him from the surgery. He had a fractured foot.

Spencer Rattler's end of game sequence didn't go particularly well. He had a near pick on the right sideline by Kaleb Ford-Dement on the second play during his pass intended for Stanley Morgan Jr., and then there was a false start with 1:23 left that backed the offense up. The drive ended on the next play with a Ford-Dement pick after it went off the hands of Kevin Austin Jr. and went into tip drill mode.

Saints Training Camp Recaps

Published Aug 20, 2024|Modified Aug 21, 2024

JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net