Lutz on NFI; Saints hope not for long

Saints K Wil Lutz has opened training camp on the non-football injury list with what GM Mickey Loomis has described only as a "soft tissue" problem, according to NOLA.com. The team has indicated it expects Lutz to return soon, backing that up by making no plans to try out replacement kickers. If Lutz's issue persists closer to the season, then we might draft around him at this fungible fantasy position.

The Broncos swung a trade for K Wil Lutz from New Orleans. Lutz reunites with former Saints HC and current Broncos HC Sean Payton. How strong a fantasy option Lutz will be this season depends entirely on whether Payton can help lead Denver's offense to a bounce-back season.

Saints K Wil Lutz was cleared early this week to return to action and hit the practice field Wednesday for the 1st time in 10 months, according to the team website. Lutz missed all of last season with a core-muscle injury that required surgery. We'll watch for setbacks, but he should be ready to reclaim the New Orleans kicking job.

Saints K Wil Lutz announced that he suffered a setback in his rehab from core-muscle surgery and will miss the rest of the 2021 season. That leaves the starting job to K Brian Johnson, who made his lone XP and both FGs -- including the 33-yard game winner -- in his NFL debut against the Seahawks on Monday night.

Saints K Wil Lutz underwent core-muscle surgery and could miss 8+ weeks, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. We'll keep an eye on Lutz's rehab, but he's undraftable in fantasy now. New Orleans on Monday signed K Brett Maher, who now looks like the favorite to open the season as the starter.

A source tells Saints beat writer Mike Triplett that K Wil Lutz “could miss a little time at the start of the season.” He’s dealing with a groin injury. Given New Orleans’ questions on offense, Lutz is now an easy fade on draft day.

Update: Ian Rapoport tweeted that Lutz will "be evaluated for a potential core muscle surgery." If Lutz undergoes surgery, he'll be a lock to miss regular season games.