METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints (2-1) will be without five-time All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis against the Falcons (1-2) in Atlanta on Sunday. Saints coach Dennis Allen told media on Friday the Pro Bowl linebacker is out due to a hamstring injury.
"We're not gonna put anybody out there that we feel like we're putting at risk of injuring themselves," Allen explained. "Nobody, especially guys like that… We had to do that same thing with Cam (Jordan) at one point in time. With all these things, you're always just looking at what's the proper thing to do, what's the right thing to do for the player and for the team. That's all that goes into any of those type of decisions."
His absence marks only the second game – first due to injury – that he's missed in his 13-year career, according to NFL.com. The other was due to COVID-19 in 2021.
Just days after losing Pro Bowl enter Erik McCoy for the next 6-8 weeks due to a groin injury, the Saints already thin offensive line will get even leaner on the depth chart with the absence of guard Cesar Ruiz, who will miss Sunday's NFC South rivalry game due to a knee injury.
Second-year wide receiver A.T. Perry is also out due to a hamstring.
Saints offensive weapons in running back Alvin Kamara and wide receivers Chris Olave and Cedrick Wilson Jr are all listed as questionable.
Kamara, who had limited participation in practice the past two days after sitting out Wednesday, is suffering from hip and rib injuries, while Olave and Wilson have hamstring and ankle issues.
NFL insider Adam Schefter took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to report that Olave, who has 12 catches for 178 yards and a touchdown, is listed "day-to-day' after suffering his injury at practice on Friday.
The Saints at Falcons is set for Sunday at noon.
