Saints Injuries: Erik McCoy, Marshon Lattimore, Marcus Davenport updates

Despite a dominant opening week win, injuries have already taken their toll on the Saints.

Starting center Erik McCoy left the Packers game early Sunday, and now he could miss more time with a calf strain.

The #Saints have a Week 6 bye and it sounds like Erik McCoy could be out until then. Cesar Ruiz stepped in Sunday. https://t.co/giD9f80akB

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2021

New Orleans worked out ex-Chiefs center Austin Reiter in anticipation of filling the void left by McCoy’s issue and signed the free agent to their practice squad..

With Erik McCoy set to miss time with a calf strain, the #Saints flew in former #Chiefs center Austin Reiter this morning for a workout, per source.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2021

The #Saints are expected to sign former #Chiefs C Austin Reiter to the practice squad with plans to elevate him on game day, per source. Reinforcements after Erik McCoy’s injury.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2021

Cesar Ruiz moved over from right guard to replace McCoy while Calvin Throckmorton played in Ruiz’s spot.

As expected, cornerback Marshon Lattimore underwent thumb surgery Tuesday.

#Saints Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore is having surgery today to repair a chipped bone in his thumb, source says, and the injury he suffered on Sunday makes him week-to-week. Lattimore agreed to his five-year, nearly $100M deal before the game.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 14, 2021

It is possible Lattimore could play Sunday at Carolina.

The same is not likely for defensive end Marcus Davenport although he appears to have escaped serious injury.

#Saints pass-rusher Marcus Davenport suffered a pec strain, source said. He’ll miss some time, but should be back sooner rather than later. Considering how he has come on, this is very good news for the New Orleans D.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 13, 2021

Early reports indicated fears of a torn pec that would have likely ended Davenport’s season.

Already unavailable due to his ongoing recovery from ankle surgery, wideout Michael Thomas was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list.

As we reported on Friday, Thomas is with the team in Fort Worth doing his rehab work after previously being in Philadelphia. https://t.co/CdraVNPsPz

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 14, 2021

Thomas joins six Saints assistant coaches in the NFL’s COVID protocol. He is on the PUP List as well, meaning he is not eligible to return to the active roster until after the sixth week of the regular season, in this case the Saints’ fifth game of the year.