Saints coaching staff still dealing with COVID-19 protocol

The New Orleans Saints will still be without some of their coaches for this week’s game. They will be missing three coaches against the New England Patriots. The three coaches remain out in accordance with the NFL’s COVID-19 policies. Assistant head coach/ defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen, run game coordinator/ tight end coach Dan Roushar and pass-rush specialist Brian Young will all be unavailable for Sunday’s game.

Last week there was a total of eight coaches out for the Saints. On that list was offensive assistant Declan Doyle, offensive analyst Jim Chaney, running backs coach Joel Thomas, senior offensive assistant/wide receivers Curtis Johnson, and assistant special teams coach Phil Galiano; plus the three coaches who are still out.

Feeling the effects

All the absences for the Saints were felt in Sunday’s loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Saints were defeated soundly 26-7, with a performance that was a complete 180 from Week 1. On offense, their run game was nonexistent, even with Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara playing. He had eight carries for just five yards.

The Saints as a whole didn’t do much better as they finished with a combined 48 yards rushing. And the Saints’ passing game didn’t do much better either. After throwing five touchdown passes last week against the Packers, this week James Winston had none through the air. He was 11 of 22 passing for 111 yards with two interceptions. New Orleans was just credited 80 yards passing, after subtracting the yards lost on the four sacks it allowed.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Saints couldn’t stop anything the Panthers did. Carolina finished the game with 383 total yards, with 294 coming through the air. But it didn’t need much on the ground to do in the rattle is Saints as they finished with 89 yards there.

New Orleans bounce back

Offensively, the Saints are searching for an offensive identity after the retirement of the All-Pro quarterback Drew Brees. But that task was made more difficult when their All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas started the year on the IR list. Fortunately, with other coaches coming back the Saints can get back on track to figuring out second who they are on offense.

This week looks to be more promising for the New Orleans Saints. And with five of the eight coaches returning this week and the return of key players on defense, they should have a much better performance this Sunday.