NFL Player News

Fuaga will be tasked with turning around an offensive line that PFF graded as the seventh-worst pass-blocking line in the league last season. Saints head coach Dennis Allen said after the team drafted Fuaga that he could eventually move to left tackle, but didn’t say whether or not that would be the plan for him early on. Fuaga never took a snap at left tackle during his time at Oregon State which could make for a steep learning curve if he were to eventually make the switch. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him get reps at both tackle positions in camp before the team ultimately decides where he’ll open the year.

This is Herbert’s second missed practice. The Indy Star’s Nate Atkins commented on the matter, saying this is a “setback” for Herbert “in the RB3 battle.” Herbert is not worth stashing on fantasy benches at this time.

Lambert-Smith led the Chargers’ wide receiver corps with 30 snaps, and played 5-of-6 on the first drive. The intriguing rookie needs a bounce-back showing next week if he wants to earn an early-season role in the offense.

Not much to go on here. Harris played 28 snaps, including 5-of-6 on the first drive. Harris must make his mark if he wants to lock up the X-receiver role pre-Week 1.

Gadsden and Tyler Conklin both logged three first-drive snaps and Conklin failed to secure his lone target. Gadsden has a long way to go before he becomes re-draft-relevant but he’s getting reps alongside Conklin, which is a good start.

Miller added one kickoff return for 36 yards. It was an uninspiring performance but no one played better. He notably surrendered two snaps on the opening drive to WR-to-RB convert Velus Jones. Jones rushed once for minus-one yards, caught 4-of-4 targets for 16 yards and returned two kickoffs for 73 yards.

Dickerson underwent surgery to fix an injury in his left knee last year. This is unrelated, but it’s not good. Dickerson remained down for some time and was ultimately transported to the locker room via the cart.

Shough bounced back after throwing a bad pick-six by linking up with WR Mason Tipton, streaking down the left side of the field, for a 54-yard touchdown. Shough telegraphed his pass on the interception by staring directly at his intended receiver, which allowed Chargers CB Eric Rogers to easily jump the route. All in all, Shough outplayed Spencer Rattler.

Rattler got the start but did little with it, producing two glaring low points. The Saints’ second drive started on the Chargers’ 17-yard line after the returner muffed the Saints’ punt. The drive stalled out with a turnover on downs at the Chargers’ one-yard line. Rattler later added a lost fumble to the box score when he was sacked.

Johnson acknowledges that Burden’s play is “not where it needs to be yet,” but he “loves how hard” Burden is working. That’s encouraging. Burden is a talented, young player. If he can get up to speed, after missing significant practice time due to a strained hamstring, he could return flex value in year one.

A high-ankle sprain ended Means’ 2024 rookie year prematurely. Hopefully, this is unrelated. Before exiting, Means caught 1-of-2 targets for 12 yards. He is competing for the Saints’ No. 3 wide receiver role.