Saints and Cardinals game cancelled due to Hurricane Ida

The New Orleans Saints announced Friday evening that the preseason game between the Saints and Cardinals has been cancelled, according to the Saints’ website.

Below is the official statement from the Saints website:

“At the request of Louisiana Governor Edwards, the NFL and The New Orleans Saints announced Friday, Aug. 27 that due to the impending impact of Hurricane Ida on the Gulf Coast region that the team’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals has been canceled,” the statement reads. “The game, which was originally scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Saturday, Aug 28 was moved to noon at the Caesars Superdome. Due to the intensification of the hurricane throughout the day and after the most recent tropical update, the team’s leadership has made the decision in the best interests of all personnel that may have been directly and indirectly affected by the storm.

“This announcement comes after constant communications with City of New Orleans officials, the National Weather Service, Homeland Security, Governor Edwards, leading state officials, and the National Football League. The team encourages all residents of the region to take precautionary measures to remain safe throughout the impending hurricane. The Saints will be in communication with season ticket account holders regarding applicable refunds and/or credits to their season ticket accounts.”

Current alerts listed by the National Weather Service: “A hurricane watch continues in effect from Cameron, Louisiana, to the Mississippi-Alabama state line, including the New Orleans metro area. Hurricane watches are typically issued 48 hours in advance of when tropical-storm-force winds are expected to arrive since these conditions make it difficult to make preparations for a hurricane, once they begin.”

The forecast for Hurricane Ida looks very severe and it’s expected to hit New Orleans on the exact date that Hurricane Katrina devastated a large area of the Gulf Coast approximately 16 years earlier.

New Orleans Saints 2021 Outlook

Jameis Winston was recently named the starting quarterback for the Saints, after his top notch preseason performance against the Jaguars. Check out the gorgeous deep ball he threw to Marquez Callaway below.

Holy moly! Marquez Callaway SOMEHOW came down with this for a TD. Jameis Winston with the deep ball. pic.twitter.com/unp5g0y9kM

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 24, 2021

Marquez Callaway shining early

The former Florida State signal-caller connected with Saints receiver Marquez Callaway on both touchdown strikes (one catch is in the video above).

Callaway has been a breakout star for New Orleans in the pre-season; being targeted nine times, catching eight passes for 165 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

Callaway is expected to play a much bigger role in the Saints offense in the 2021 season while Michael Thomas recovers from tightrope ankle surgery, the same procedure that Tua Tagovailoa had performed on his ankle.

Callaway played in 42 games for the Tennessee Volunteers in college. For his entire college career, he hauled in 92 catches for 1,646 yards and 13 touchdowns as a receiver. As a punt returner, he returned 40 punts for 5,543 yards and three touchdowns in his career.