The Saints have placed DE Marcus Davenport (shoulder) and LB Kwon Alexander (elbow) on IR. That means both starters will miss at least the next 3 games. We'll see beyond that. Zack Baun and Kaden Elliss are the next 2 LBs up behind leader Demario Davis. Each played 40% of the Week 1 snaps, with Alexander at 60%. It's tough to bet on either in IDP lineups for Week 2. At DE, Carl Granderson and Tanoh Kpassagnon will see more time with Davenport out.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore is having surgery Tuesday for a chipped bone in his right thumb. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that he'll be "week to week" in his return timeline. That makes it sound as though we should expect Lattimore to miss at least the Week 2 visit to Carolina. We'll see beyond that. New Orleans will at least get CB Bradley Roby for that contest. He had to finish out a league suspension in Week 1 after arriving via trade from Houston.

Saints DE Marcus Davenport strained a pectoral muscle in Sunday's win over the Packers. "He'll miss some time, but should be back sooner rather than later," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says. Whether the team places Davenport on IR should tell us more about when he might actually return. DE Carl Granderson looks like the next man up for New Orleans, with Tanoh Kpassagnon right there as well. First-round rookie Payton Turner was a healthy scratch in Week 1 and doesn't look like he'll be in the picture yet.

Saints DE Marcus Davenport came away from Sunday's opener with a pectoral injury, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The team is reportedly awaiting results of an MRI, so we'll see about the severity.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (knee) is active for today’s game against the Packers

The Saints grabbed Ohio State LB Pete Werner in the 2nd round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Werner posted solid production over 3 starting seasons, especially the 15.5 tackles for loss and 13 passes defensed. He proved above average in speed score and agility. We'll see about his fit in the New Orleans LB corps.

The Saints picked DE Payton Turner with the 28th pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Turner endured some injury issues in college after being a late-bloomer in high school. But he led this edge class in solo tackles per game (3.4) and tackles for loss per game (2.1). He joins a Saints defense that just lost Trey Hendrickson in free agency. Turner figures to start 3rd on the DE depth chart -- at best -- behind Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport. (New Orleans exercised the 5th-year option on Davenport on Thursday.)

The Saints have released LB Kwon Alexander. It's not a surprising move. The veteran was set to make $13.2 million and $13.5 million in the final 2 years on his contract and suffered an Achilles' tendon tear in Week 16. We'll see whether he's ready to play for anyone in 2021.

The Bengals have reached a 4-year, $60 million deal with DE Trey Hendrickson that includes $32 million for the 1st 2 seasons, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Hendrickson exploded for 13.5 sacks in 2020, tying for 2nd in the league after collecting just 6.5 total over his 1st 3 pro seasons. Hendrickson was a productive college player, though, including 23 sacks and 30 tackles for loss over his final 2 campaigns at Florida Atlantic. He's also a superior athlete, delivering the 3rd-best speed score among DEs in his 2017 draft class (behind Myles Garrett and ahead of Haason Reddick). Hendrickson figures to take over the void left by Carl Lawson hitting free agency. We'll see how the 26-year-old builds on his 2020 breakout.

ESPN's Mike Triplett reports that the Saints plan to release LB Kwon Alexander. The veteran was set to make $13.4 million in 2021 and tore his right Achilles' tendon in Week 16. So this move comes as no surprise. We'll see if he can make it back to the field in a significant role for any team in the coming season. Long-term, there's still time for the 26-year-old to round back into form. He remains stashable if your IDP dynasty league is deep enough. Alexander's release plus Trey Hendrickson's impending free agency should help New Orleans find snaps for Zack Baun in his 2nd season.

The Saints have ruled DE Trey Hendrickson (neck) out for Sunday's game against the Bears. That leaves New Orleans without its season sack leader. The matchup for the Saints defense still looks good, though, against the 2nd-worst offense in the playoffs (behind Washington), according to Football Outsiders DVOA.

Saints LB Kwon Alexander tore the Achilles' tendon in his right leg in Friday's win over the Vikings. That obviously ends his season, and the late-December timing figures to threaten his start to 2021. The final 2 years remaining on his contract look expensive and cuttable. So we'll see what the offseason holds for this 26-year-old, whom the Saints acquired via trade in November. LB Alex Anzalone replaced Alexander against Minnesota and figures to return to the starting lineup the rest of the way.

Saints DE Trey Hendrickson (neck) is inactive for today's game against the Vikings. That could leave more snaps available for DE Marcus Davenport, who ramped up to a season high in total snaps last week against the Chiefs. Davenport carries sneaky upside against a Minnesota offense that allowed 13 sacks over the past 3 games. But there's also risk to a guy with just 1.5 sacks for the season and 2 total QB hits since Week 8. New Orleans will also miss FS Marcus Williams, which improves the passing matchup for the Vikings.

Saints DE Trey Hendrickson is questionable for Friday's game against the Vikings with a neck injury. He put in limited practices Tuesday and Wednesday but closed by missing Thursday's practice. We'll see about his status Friday afternoon.

Saints DE Cameron Jordan got booted from Sunday's loss to the Chiefs after the 3rd play of the 4th quarter. He got penalized for throwing a punch, a penalty that moved K.C. down inside the New Orleans 15-yard line to set up RB Le'Veon Bell's TD run. We don't expect the episode to affect Jordan's availability for Week 16.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) is inactive for today's game against the Falcons. That leaves an already volatile New Orleans defense without its top corner vs. an Atlanta passing game that gets WR Calvin Ridley back.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) is questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons. He put in limited practices all week. We'll check his status Sunday morning.

The 49ers are trading LB Kwon Alexander to the Saints for LB Kiko Alonso and a conditional 5th-round pick, according to multiple reports. Alexander has missed the past 2 games with a high-ankle sprain but should be back soon. San Francisco HC Kyle Shanahan said originally that the team believed it to be a "minor" sprain. Alexander should join Demario Davis in playing full-time snaps, likely sapping playing time from LB Alex Anzalone. We'll keep an eye on Alexander to see when he'll officially jump into the lineup. A healthy Alexander enhances the upside of the New Orleans team defense. The Niners, meanwhile, can now keep LB Dre Greenlaw in his full-time role alongside Fred Warner. He has seen increased playing time with Alexander out.

Saints CB Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) is active for tonight's game against the Chargers. He missed last week's game and remained limited in practice this week but is available for IDP lineups if you waited for him. DE Marcus Davenport (toe) will also be making his season debut. He missed the first 4 games and remained limited in practice this week. We'll see how much playing time Davenport takes on in his return. DT Sheldon Rankins (thumb) is also active after entering the night questionable. Neither he nor Davenport belong in lineups in most IDP leagues.