Saints set up near Dallas after displacement by Ida
Displaced by Hurricane Ida, the Saints went back to work Monday about 500 miles away in the stadium of another NFL team.
Head coach Sean Payton stood on the star logo in the middle of the home field of the Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, as the Saints stretched out for their first practice since before the powerful Category 4 hurricane made landfall just south of New Orleans. They will practice at AT&T Stadium through Wednesday before a previously planned break leading into the start of the regular season.
“Then we’re going through a ton of contingency plans,” Payton said.
New Orleans players and staff, along with about 120 family members, relocated to North Texas on Saturday, when their final preseason game was canceled a day before the destructive hurricane made landfall south of New Orleans with winds of 150 mph, and left that entire area without power.
“Left behind are obviously apartments, condominiums, homes. Those are all physical things. Nonetheless, they’re still home for so many people,” Payton said on a conference call before practice. “I think to some degree that going out and being able to practice today is going to be good for everyone, because from afar, there’s only so much you can do.”
After the break at the end of this week, part of the number of days off required by the CBA, the Saints are scheduled to resume practice next Monday.
Payton said that it would be unrealistic to believe that would be at their headquarters in Metairie, La., even though initial reports from people there indicated that the facility handled the storm pretty well.
“There’ll be important time for everyone to kind of assess where they’re at. And there’s a good chance when we start up (next) Monday … that’s going to be somewhere other than Metairie,” he said.
There has been no word yet about the scheduled Sept. 12 season opener at home against the Packers that is supposed to be at the Superdome.
“Obviously, we’ll have a Plan B. And, you know, there are a lot of other things probably from a priority standpoint that are more important for our city,” Payton said. “But that all being said, you know, we fully anticipate starting the regular season with Green Bay and then the question would be where that game’s at.”
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said damage to the area’s power grid appeared “catastrophic,” and officials warned it could be weeks before power is fully restored.
Saints owner Gayle Benson said she is making an initial $1 million donation toward the Gulf Coast Renewal Fund. The team added “those wishing to donate can do so by going to NewOrleansSaints.com/hurricaneida. We will continue to be in close communication with governmental and community leaders to determine where aid and assistance can most effectively be directed. More details on the fund and other initiatives will be provided in the coming days.”
Because of not playing Saturday, the Saints got in only two preseason games, taking away an opportunity for some players trying to make the final roster to get more evaluation. There was another practice scheduled Tuesday, the same day the roster has to be reduced to 53 players.
Though glad to have the players and their families safe, Payton doesn’t like the environment in having to cut some players.
“With all the families here, I think that’s challenging. I brought it up this morning. And we talked about it as a team and I just said, ‘Hey, we just have to understand that there’s a lot of good about us being here,’ ” Payton said. “‘But there are challenges when it comes to your jobs that are on the line, and we’re going to do our best to take care of everyone.’ ”
The arrival of Ida came 16 years to the day after Katrina devastated New Orleans. The Saints were forced to move for the 2005 season, setting up operations in San Antonio while playing home games there and in Baton Rouge at LSU. New Orleans also played one “home“game at Giants Stadium.
COVID hits Colts: Carson Wentz’s big week was cut short when Indianapolis put three starters, including its top quarterback, on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
Wentz, center Ryan Kelly and receiver Zach Pascal join twotime Pro Bowl left tackle Eric Fisher on the sideline because of health and safety protocols. Fisher tested positive for the virus last week. Three-time All-Pro Quenton Nelson was activated Monday after multiple negative tests. Nelson was deemed a close contact to Fisher.
Head coach Frank Reich planned to use this week to test Wentz and Nelson, who both had foot surgery to remove a bone fragment. Both did limited work three straight days last week and were cleared for full action this week.
It’s unclear whether Kelly, Pascal or Wentz tested positive or were close contacts.
COVID-19 has been a concern for the Colts, who have ranked near the bottom of the league in vaccination rates.
Briefly: The Giants acquired center Billy Price from the Bengals in a trade for defensive lineman B.J. Hill . ... Detroit backup quarterback Tim Boyle broke his right thumb in the team’s preseason finale and needs surgery . ... The Bills traded defensive end Darryl Johnson to the Panthers for a sixthround pick in 2022 . ... The Seahawks added depth to their biggest position of concern, acquiring cornerback Sidney Jones IV from the Jaguars for what is expected to be a lateround draft pick . ... Minnesota tight end Irv Smith Jr. will be sidelined for a few games after he has knee surgery after an injury from Friday’s exhibition game at Kansas City. Smith was poised for a breakout season following the departure of 11year veteran Kyle Rudolph . ... The Titans’ virus outbreak has grown again, with starting right guard Nate Davis added to the reserve/COVID-19 list. Nine players are on Tennessee’s list.