2022 NFL Team Injury Preview: New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints - SIC Score 90.7

2021 record: 9-8| 2022 FanDuel O/U win total: 8.5

As the Saints head into the 2022 season without Sean Payton, fans are hopeful star receiver Michael Thomas will be back to begin the new era in New Orleans under head coach Dennis Allen. Thomas has not played in a game in almost two years. 

In addition to Thomas, starting quarterback Jameis Winston is making way back from his ACL tear. He only started in 7 games where finished with 1170 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions before the injury. 

The Saints added former wide Ohio State receiver Chris Olave in the 2022 draft and receiver Jarvis Landry in free-agency in the event Thomas is no longer the same player prior to his injury. 

Running back Alvin Kamara, while not injury-related, may miss time this season because of his offseason arrest for battery. His backup Mark Ingram is getting up there in age at 32 years old.

Although the two main question marks on offense are Winston and Thomas, right tackle Ryan Ramcyzk had knee surgery in the offseason. The Saints had said the procedure was minor and should not impact him this season. 

Free safety Marcus Maye joined the Saints in the offseason on a three-year deal. He is coming back from an Achilles injury that he suffered on Nov. 4, 2021. The former Jet is not going to be at full-strength to start the season.

Starting linebacker Pete Werner was added to the non-football injury list last week. It has not been revealed what Werner is dealing with. Starting defensive lineman Marcus Davenport is on the PUP list for training camp as he is recovering from shoulder injury.

Michael Thomas - SIC Score 59

Thomas is not expected to produce like he did before his reoccurring ankle injury. Prior to the injury that he suffered in Week 1 of 2020, the former Ohio State averaged 7.5 yards and 85.7 yards per game. His career year in 2019 where he finished with 149 yards and 1,725 yards and 9 touchdowns suggested the Saints have a Hall of Fame-type talent in Thomas. He decided to have a multi-ligament repair surgery that held him out of the 2021 season. The 29 year old is now back on the practice field with the Saints though recent video suggest of Thomas running routes is slowed down by the lingering ankle issues. 

Jameis Winston - SIC Score 81

The former Florida State quarterback is back following last year’s season-ending knee injury. Because Winston suffered a torn ACL and MCL damage, it will take some time for Winston to regain trust in his knee and be willing to be move outside the pocket. The New Orleans may look to its running game as Winston progresses throughout the season. 

Alvin Kamara - SIC Score 92

Kamara enters the season with a high SIC score, but he does have a history of knee and ankle injuries. The 27-year-old running back sprained his LCL in 2016 and then tore his MCL in 2019. He suffered a MCL sprain last season that held him out of four games. His previous injuries should not impact his productivity this season though the knee injuries are something to take note of. 

Marcus Davenport - SIC Score 93

The pass rusher had multiple offseason surgeries: one to amputate the tip of his left pinky finger that he first injured in 2016 and two to repair his injured shoulder. The amputation should not affect his playing career considering he has been playing with an already deformed finger. The Docs are more concerned over his right shoulder recovery, which was slowed down because of the amputation. The fifth-year defensive end should be back on the field for Week 1. 

Ryan Ramcyzk - SIC Score 91

Before last season, the starting right tackle did not miss time because of injury. A knee injury forced him on the sidelines for seven games. He did not need offseason surgery rather he used his time to get knee back to full strength through strength training. The former Badger should be fine for this season but knee injuries are never good for players of Ramcyzk's size.