New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
The New Orleans Saints are set to play the Dolphins on Monday Night Football without 21 players and four coaches on the COVID list.
Monday Night Football between the Saints and Dolphins could play a big role in the playoff hunt for both teams.
Unfortunately, it’ll also be a harrowing test of depth for New Orleans considering the sheer number of players who have landed on the COVID list ahead of the game.
All told there are 21 players expected to miss the action, including quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian. Rookie Ian Book will make his first career start as a result.
Who else will be unavailable?
Saints players and coaches out with COVID vs. Dolphins
- QB Taysom Hill
- QB Trevor Siemian
- RB Dwayne Washington
- WR Deonte Harris
- TE Juwan Johnson
- TE Adam Trautman
- OT Jerald Hawkins
- OT Jordan Mills
- OT Ryan Ramczyk
- OG James Carpenter
- DE Carl Granderson
- DT Christian Ringo
- DT Malcolm Roach
- DE Jalyn Holmes
- LB Kwon Alexander
- LB Demario Davis
- LB Kaden Elliss
- CB KeiVarae Russell
- S J.T. Gray
- S Jeff Heath
- S Malcolm Jenkins
- ST Coordinator Darren Rizzi
- Asst. OL Zach Strief
- Asst. DBs Cory Robinson
- Def. Intern Sterling Moore
The Dolphins also have a handful of players on the COVID list, but it’s not nearly as many as the Saints. Nor are they such important misses.
Moreover, Miami is on a hot streak after starting the season 1-7. They’ve won six games in a row and now have a shot at making the playoffs.
New Orleans has won their last two outings coming off a five-game losing streak. Their 9-0 victory over the Buccaneers proved their defense can still get it done, but this is likely to be their biggest test of the season.