Team news: New Orleans Saints | Page 35

Saints’ QB Drew Brees has multiple rib fractures on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung on the right side.

Related players: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill

Reports said HC Sean Payton is not announcing a starter for Sunday or Brees’ status at this time, but this is obviously worth monitoring as Brees is going to miss time. Winston took over for Brees, but Hill is also lurking as a possible candidate. Even if Winston starts, it's possible Hill gets more involved in the offense with Brees out. Hill is probably worth an add even if the Saints wait until later in the week to make the announcement, as Hill is considered a tight end by hosts like ESPN. Although, perhaps his position changes if he's named the starting QB.

Saints QB Drew Brees suffered a rib contusion in yesterday’s game.

Related players: Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill

Brees will have an MRI for cartilage damage Monday, the tweet added. Sources tell Rapoport that New Orleans is bracing for Brees to miss some time to fully heal. Winston took over for Brees in the second half and seems likely to get the start in Week 11. It's possible Hill gets even more involved in the offense going forward which could end up hindering any possible fantasy value Winston would have in the offense.

It sure feels like Sean Payton has begun finding the right mix for Taysom Hill the last couple of weeks.

There was a report a few weeks ago that maybe the Saints were ready to make the switch to Hill at QB because they team wasn't using him nearly the way they were last year - meaning maybe they were saving Hill. The story said Hill’s slow start this season pushed many people to call for an end to the Hill experiment, but over the last two weeks here are his numbers: Week 8 Hill had a 5-35-0 rushing line and a 2-30-1 receiving line. Last week, Hill had seven rushes for 54 yards and a catch for 21 yards - so 15 touches over the last two weeks. He's listed as a TE in many leagues so it's worth monitoring.

The Green Bay Packers have activated LB Kamal Martin and RB Jamaal Williams from the reserve/COVID-19 list. The transactions were announced Monday by General Manager Brian Gutekunst.

Related players: Aaron Jones

With Jones coming back last week, look for Williams to return to his normal role with Jones in the lineup.

Dante Pettis’ up and down — but mostly down — tenure with the 49ers is over.

After failing to move the receiver before Tuesday’s 1 p.m. PT trade deadline, the team waived him instead. Pettis’ most prominent play of the season occurred Sunday when he fumbled away a kickoff after a hard tackle in the third quarter. The Seahawks converted the turnover into a touchdown, which put them up 27-7 in their eventual 37-27 victory.

Per The Athletic’s David Lombardi, releasing Pettis saves the 49ers roughly $500,000 against the salary cap this season, and they’re now off the hook for $1.36 million next year.

Adding to the difficulty for the Packers: There is pessimism that RB Aaron Jones (calf) will be back for Thursday, I’m told. GB is cautious.

Related players: Jamaal Williams, Tyler Ervin, Dexter Williams

With Williams now out and on the COVID list, according to reports by Tom Pelissero, the current plan seems to be going with Ervin and Williams vs. the 49ers, Rapoport said. Ervin has 10 career carries and Williams has 5. Ervin mostly returned kicks for the Packers while Williams has been on the practice squad. Neither are really great plays against the 49ers, but there could at least be some volume between the two for those owners in need.

Packers running back Aaron Jones didn’t practice at all last week before being ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Vikings, but the team said he would have been able to do something on Monday if the team had a practice.

Related players: Jamaal Williams

The Packers will face the 49ers on Thursday night and issued an estimated practice report for the day. Jones was listed as limited by the calf injury that kept him out the last two games. If Jones can't go, it's anyone's guess as to who might take over at running back since Williams was recently listed as a close contact to A.J. Dillon who tested positive for COVID.

Packers LB Kamal Martin and RB Jamaal Williams are considered close contacts for RB A.J. Dillon, who tested positive for COVID-19, source said.

Related players: Aaron Jones, Tyler Ervin, Dexter Williams

Both did not practice today and the league is determining if they are high-risk close contacts. With Jones dealing with a calf injury it's possible the Packers are suddenly without their top-three backs against the 49ers on Thursday night. Ervin and Williams are next up but it's turning into a situation that will need to be monitored over the next few days to see what Williams' status will be for Thursday.