The New Orleans Saints won't have Michael Thomas in Monday night's bout with the L.A. Chargers, but two other key players are in the lineup.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Monday that tight end Jared Cook (groin) and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (thumb) were expected to play and each are active.
Both players were listed as questionable for Monday Night Football.
Cook missed last week's win in Detroit. His return should be a boon for Drew Brees, who will once again be without his top target for the fourth straight week.
On the other side of the ball, Chargers wideout Mike Williams (hamstring) and defensive end Joey Bosa (triceps/knee/ankle) are each active.
Chargers wide receivers coach Phil McGeoghan is on personal leave and did not travel with the team to New Orleans, Pelissero reported. He remains a part of the coaching staff, Pelissero added.
Chargers receiver Keenan Allen (back) exited the first quarter of the game and did not return. Coach Anthony Lynn told reporters after the game Allen is dealing with back spasms. Chargers cornerback Casey Hayward had to miss the fourth quarter of Monday night's loss to the Saints, coach Lynn revealed after the game. Hayward's injury was not disclosed.
Saints guard Nick Easton was ruled out early in the game with a concussion, NFL Network's James Palmer reported.
Here are other injuries and roster news we're tracking on Monday:
- San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will practice this week and the coach hopes he will start Sunday against the Rams. Richard Sherman (calf) is not expected back this week as he's experienced some setbacks, Shanahan said.
- Another brutal Dallas Cowboys injury. An MRI confirmed starting defensive tackle Trysten Hill suffered a torn ACL in Sunday’s win over the Giants, Pelissero reported, per a source informed. Hill’s season is over. The Cowboys are signing quarterback Garrett Gilbert of the Browns practice squad, Pelissero reported.
- Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook avoided a major injury Sunday night when he left a loss to Seattle after tweaking his groin. “He’s good,” Pelissero reported, per a source. Cook underwent an MRI on Monday. Minnesota may exercise caution, with 0-5 Atlanta up next before the bye then a divisional game Nov. 1 at Green Bay, Pelissero added.
- Kansas City Chiefs receiver Sammy Watkins will probably be out a couple weeks because of a hamstring injury, Pelissero reported, per source. Watkins sustained the injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game against the Raiders.
- Houston Texans interim head coach Romeo Crennel said that linebacker Benardrick McKinney's shoulder injury will be evaluated again today and hopes he can return soon.
- Jacksonville Jaguars safety Josh Jones isn’t expected to be suspended for the helmet hit on Texans WR Brandin Cooks that got Jones ejected yesterday, per Pelissero. It will be reviewed for a possible fine, Pelissero added. The Jags promoted kicker Jon Brown and defensive lineman Caraun Reid from the practice squad to the active roster, released kicker Stephen Hauschka and defensive lineman Carl Davis, signed defensive end Jabaal Sheard to the practice squad and placed safety Andrew Wingard (abdominal strain) on IR. Tight end Tyler Eifert suffered a stinger on Sunday and will probably land on the injury report this week, Pelissero reported, per a source. He added that the team is optimistic that Eifert will be OK.
- The Cleveland Browns placed cornerback Greedy Williams on IR because of a nerve injury in his shoulder. Coach Kevin Stefanski said surgery is not required and Williams can potentially return this season. Guard Wyatt Teller is week to week with a calf strain.
- Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey will undergo tests on his high ankle sprain Monday. The RB is eligible to come off injured reserve this week, but coach Matt Rhule would not speculate on when he might return.
- Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay is in concussion protocol. The team is still awaiting a second opinion on Lane Johnson's injured right ankle after the RT was carted off Sunday.
- Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy said the team's practice squad players were kept at home on Monday after offensive lineman Badara Traore tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend.
- New York Jets coach Adam Gase said wide receiver Chris Hogan has a high-ankle sprain and will undergo additional testing to determine whether it's more than that.
- The Cincinnati Bengals announced they have signed defensive tackle Xavier Williams and placed defensive tackle D.J. Reader on injured reserve. Reader suffered a quad injury this past Sunday that Pelissero and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported would likely sideline him for the rest of the season.
- New York Giants linebacker Lorenzo Carter suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in their loss to the Cowboys, Garafolo reported.
- The Los Angeles Chargers activated defensive end Joe Gaziano and running back Troymaine Pope from the practice squad.
- The Baltimore Ravens placed linebacker Otaro Alaka on IR and moved center Trystan Colon-Castillo to the 53-man roster.
- The Buffalo Bills signed linebacker Deon Lacey from the practice squad and placed linebacker Del'Shawn Phillips on IR.
- The Green Bay Packers signed tight end Dominque Dafney to the practice squad