Saints interim HC Darren Rizzi informed the team today that QB Jake Haener will start this weekend's game vs. the Commanders, according to insider Nick Underhill. It'll be Haener's first career start. The 2023 fourth-round pick has completed just 49% of his 29 passes in mop-up duty across four different games this season. Try to avoid Haener and the entire Saints passing game in fantasy lineups this week. New Orleans is implied for only 18 points.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson caught a third-quarter TD from Derek Carr, the only receiving TD in the Saints/Giants game. With TE Taysom Hill likely sidelined for some time, Johnson has taken over the receiving work, especially in the red zone. He caught four of five targets for 50 yards and the lone TD.
Saints TE Taysom Hill suffered a torn ACL and "additional damage" to his left knee in the Week 13 loss to the Rams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. That ends Hill's 2024 season and might challenge his availability for the start of the 2025 campaign. Hill will turn 35 in August. He's signed with the Saints through 2025.
Saints TE Taysom Hill managed just 50 total yards in Sunday's win over the Falcons. He carried four times for 14 yards and caught both of his targets for 36 more. Hill accrued 34 of those yards of one short completion, which actually went for an 88-yard TD. But it came back to the Saints' 36-yard line on a Foster Moreau holding penalty.
The Saints on Tuesday activated TE Juwan Johnson from the physically unable to perform list. He had foot surgery in June and had been rehabbing since. But Johnson returns to the field with more than two weeks to prepare for the regular-season opener.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson was on the field before and after Friday's practice, catching passes from a Jugs machine, according to New Orleans Football Network. Johnson remains on the PUP list and isn't practicing after undergoing foot surgery about a month ago. But he wasn't favoring that foot and didn't appear to be wearing any extra protection.
Nick Underhill of Saints.football reports that Saints TE Juwan Johnson "suffered a lower leg injury and is expected to miss a good amount of time." We'll watch for more specifics on the injury, but that sounds pretty ominous. Underhill did add that he hasn't heard that Johnson will be sidelined into the regular season.
Update: ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Johnson will undergo foot surgery. He's expected to be sidelined “a while," Schefter adds, but "the hope and belief for now is that he will be back for the start of the season."
Klint Kubiak is expected to be named the Saints' new OC, according to multiple reports. Kubiak is currently the 49ers' passing-game coordinator, so the move can't become official until after the Super Bowl. The 36-year-old son of Gary Kubiak has 10 seasons of NFL coaching experience. That includes serving as Vikings OC back in 2021. That team ranked 12th in total yards and 14th in points, ranking near the middle of the pack in run/pass split.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (chest) is active for today’s game vs. the Falcons. He only got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, but we never sensed any concern about his status for this one. Johnson has garnered 19 targets over the last two weeks and now gets Atlanta’s 24th-ranked TE defense.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirms that Saints TE Juwan Johnson (chest) is "good to go" for today's game vs. the Falcons. With 19 targets over the last two weeks, Johnson finds himself safely inside the top 10 of the Week 18 TE Rankings.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (chest) is listed as questionable for this weekend’s game vs. the Falcons. He got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Johnson should be able to play come Sunday, but we’ll find out for sure when New Orleans’ inactives come out around 11:30 am ET.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (chest) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He should be available for this weekend's game vs. the Falcons, but we'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (chest) did not practice on Wednesday. He's coming off a season-best 8-90-1 line in last week's win over the Bucs and seemed to come out of that game ok. We'll see if Johnson gets back on the practice field tomorrow
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (quad) is active for today’s game vs. the Panthers. TE Taysom Hill’s absence makes Johnson a slightly better fantasy bet, but he still sits outside the top 20 in the Week 14 TE Rankings.
ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms that Saints TE Taysom Hill (foot, left hand) is not expected to play vs. the Panthers today. He's averaged 5.8 carries and 2.8 targets per game this season and is tied for the team lead with seven carries inside the five-yard line. Hill's absence today is particularly good news for RB Alvin Kamara's TD projection. TE Juwan Johnson (quad) is expected to play today, per Schefter, but remains a desperation fantasy option.
Asked whether Taysom Hill will play Sunday against the Panthers, Saints beat writer Nick Underhill said, "I'd be surprised but we'll see." Hill's officially questionable with foot and hand injuries, but you should plan as though he's not playing against Carolina. That can only help TE Juwan Johnson's playing time and the goal-line opportunities for New Orleans RBs. We'll confirm Hill's status Sunday morning.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (quad) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game vs. the Panthers. He got in three limited practices this week, so we’re expecting him to play. Johnson’s fantasy stock would get a slight boost if TE Taysom Hill sits. But he still wouldn’t be a recommended TE1.
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