The New Orleans Saints have been hit hard by the injury bug. The team is struggling with consistency in practices as numerous players continue to sit out or be limited each week. The injury report is length for the defense as players like Kenny Vaccaro and Cameron Jordan are not on the field, but the offense is taking a bigger hit. After being without several key starters during the team's Week 9 game, a few are making their way back onto the practice field in preparation for the Dallas Cowboys.
Drew Brees will get back his favorite running back as Darren Sproles was cleared to play after suffering from a concussion against the New York Jets in the first quarter of the game. Sproles was hit hard after making a 2-yard catch. The Saints feared he might be out for the matchup something that would be a big hit to the offense. Sproles has not been much of a rusher, but as a receiver he has 368 yards off 37 catches.
Wide receiver Marques Colston also returned to practice after sitting out a week like Sproles. This may or may not impact that Saints as the receiver has been hot and cold most of the year. Before sitting out a week, Colston had just six catches in three weeks. The Saints might opt to go with Kenny Stills more since Colston will still be limited.
The biggest name not present at practice was tight end Jimmy Graham. The Saints star is still suffering from a partially torn plantar fascia and also reportedly has an elbow injury that is limiting him. Graham has certainly showed the ability to play through pain. He has had two touchdown catches in each of the last two games so as long as he is on the field, he can make an impact.
Fantasy owners should not be too stressed about the absence of the tight end. Graham was either held out or limited for most of last week and still was active on Sunday. Graham will certainly not get his usual heavy workload as it is clear his body is starting to really get torn up over the season. Last week he was heavily limited in snaps against the Saints, but the Dallas Cowboys have one of the worst pass defenses in the league, making it pretty easy for injured players to have big games on Sunday.
