Saints Injury Report: Ken Crawley, Tre’Quan Smith placed on IR ahead of Packers tilt

Opportunity appeared to knock loudly for cornerback Ken Crawley and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith heading into the Saints’ regular season opener.

Injuries will keep both from answering the call.

Crawley and Smith were placed on injured reserve Friday ahead of Sunday’s game versus Green Bay in Jacksonville, first reported Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.

Ken Crawley and Tre’Quan are on IR

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) September 10, 2021

Both were expected to start against the Packers.

The Saints will have to rely heavily on rookie Paulson Adebo and newly-signed veteran Desmond Trufant since Crawley (hamstring) has not yet recovered from an injury suffered in a preseason game against the Jaguars on Aug. 23.

In much needed news for the Saints, top corner Marshon Lattimore (knee) was limited yesterday but practiced fully Friday.

Smith (hamstring) did not appear on the injury report to start the week but was sidelined Thursday. Like Crawley, his injury occured earlier in the preseason. With Michael Thomas also out and on the PUP list, New Orleans will start the season without the two receivers projected as their starters before training camp.

Two offensive tackles also showed up on the week’s final official injury report. Swing tackle James Hurst (knee) is listed as questionable while startin left tackle Terron Armstead missed Friday’s practice with a back injury but is expected to play Sunday.

New Orleans also released safety Jeff Heath, creating three open spots on the active roster. Practice squad place kicker Aldrick Rosas will fill one of them as he fills in for the injured Wil Lutz.

Green Bay lists All-Pro linebacker Za’Darius Smith (back) as questionable after he sat out practice Friday. Smith was limited the previous two days. Backup safety Vernon Scott is the only players officially declared out this week for the Packers.

New Orleans Saints

Green Bay Packers