Saints cancel game as storm nears coast

The New Orleans Saints canceled Saturday’s preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals because of the looming impact of Hurricane Ida.

The Saints initially moved up the start time from 7 p.m. to noon, but the team decided to cancel the game late Friday afternoon as weather forecasts became more daunting.

Ida is on track to make landfall in southern Louisiana Sunday night, with the possibility that it could strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane with top winds of 140 mph by then.

Browns

Coach Kevin Stefanski said that Baker Mayfield and some “select” starters will play in Sunday night’s nationally televised exhibition finale against Atlanta. Not wanting to risk injuries, Stefanski had kept his starting quarterback and the majority of his starters on the sideline for the team’s first two preseason games. “We’re just making decisions individually based on who needs to get some reps,” Stefanski said.

Ravens

John Harbaugh cared enough about tying the mark for the most consecutive preseason victories in that he told players about it in the locker room after their 19th in a row. “I believe everything in life has meaning,” Harbaugh said. “It’s something only one other team has done.” That team was Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers, who won two NFL championships while their streak was ongoing from 1959-62. The Ravens beating Washington Saturday would put them past the Packers.

Seahawks

Seattle is dealing with another hold-in situation, this time with Pro Bowl safety Quandre Diggs. Diggs is set to make $5.95 million in base salary in 2021. He is entering the final year of his deal and has been seeking an extension from the Seahawks this offseason. “Can’t deny me what I deserve,” Diggs tweeted.

Cowboys

Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn stayed away from practice again while safety Malik Hooker returned in the first sign that the team’s COVID-19 outbreak could be easing. Quinn tested positive before last weekend’s 20-14 preseason loss to Houston.