New Orleans Saints

Kool-Aid McKinstry

CB

McKinstry left the team's 34-27 win over the Giants in Week 6 with a migraine, but he is now back to full health ahead of Week 7. The 24-year-old will be tasked with trying to slow down DK Metcalf and Germie Bernard in Sunday's matchup with the Steelers in Paris.

Kaden Elliss

LB

Elliss has been sidelined for the Saints' past three games due to a calf injury, but it now seems there's been some progress in his recovery, and he might have a chance to return to game action in Week 7. He'll still probably have to log a full practice Thursday or Friday to avoid taking an injury designation into the weekend.

Nathan Shepherd

DT

Shepherd has missed consecutive games due to an illness. The veteran defensive tackle has returned to practice after recovering from the issue and should be ready to return to the field for Sunday's game against the Steelers.

CJ Donaldson

RB

Fellow RB Alvin Kamara (back) also logged a limited session Wednesday, with added context regarding the duo's Week 7 status slated to arrive via Thursday's practice report. In the Saints' 34-27 win over the Giants in Week 6, Donaldson recorded six carries for 39 yards and lost a fumble while working alongside Kamara (seven carries for 34 yards and two catches for 35 yards with a TD) as well as Kendre Miller (20 carries for 70 yards).

Alvin Kamara

RB

This now marks three weeks in a row in which Kamara has had practice restrictions due to a back issue, but he's been able to play through it the last two games, accounting for 75 yards from scrimmage and one receiving TD on 14 touches during that stretch. The Saints may limit his on-field work Thursday and/or Friday, but there's been no indication he's in danger of missing Sunday's contest against the Steelers in Paris.

Jordyn Tyson

WR

Tyson made the trip to Paris ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Steelers, but he's not ready to have his 21-day practice window opened just yet. While the Saints haven't provided many specifics regarding where Tyson stands in his recovery from a right hamstring strain beyond noting that he's "improving," the team has a bye coming Week 8, so rookie wideout will be afforded more time to get closer to 100 percent before potentially getting back on the field. If Tyson is able to resume practicing coming out of the bye week, he could be a candidate to make his NFL debut as soon as Nov. 8, when the Saints host the Browns.

Pete Werner

LB

Werner was able to register double-digit stops for the second straight week and third time overall this season. The linebacker was also able to get to the quarterback in Week 6, sacking Jameis Winston in the second quarter. Through six games so far this year, Werner has compiled 46 total tackles (23 solo), including 2.0 sacks, while also producing two passes defensed.

Martin Emerson Jr.

CB

Emerson was all over the field in Week 6, finishing second on the team in tackles behind linebacker Pete Werner (11). The cornerback was thrust into a more prominent role in the secondary after Kool-Aid McKinstry was forced out of the game with a migraine, and Emerson definitely didn't disappoint. He was able to reel in a pair of interceptions, picking off Jameis Winston in the third quarter before jumping in front of a pass from J.J. McCarthy one quarter later.

Anfernee Jennings

LB

questionable

Daniel Carlson

PK

Carlson made field goals from 51 and 58 yards while missing a 55-yard kick in the second quarter. Despite the miss, the kicker accounted for 10 of the Saints' 34 points and displayed a strong leg throughout the contest.

Cesar Ruiz

G

Ruiz was knocked out of Sunday's game against the Giants early after suffering a knee injury, but it looks like there's still a chance he could be available in Week 7. His activity at practice will be worth keeping an eye on when New Orleans begins preparing for the Paris matchup later in the week.

Devaughn Vele

WR

Vele was on the field for 66 of the Saints' 70 offensive snaps (94.3 percent), which was well ahead of fellow wideouts Chris Olave (42) and rookie Bryce Lance (36). Vele has seen at least six targets in each of the first six games of the regular season, and his 28-294-2 line on 43 targets already surpasses his totals across 13 regular-season games in 2025 (25-293-2 on 40 targets). Given his snap count, it wouldn't be surprising if Vele maintains his role in the offense even if Jordyn Tyson (hamstring, IR) returns, which could come as soon as Week 7 against the Steelers on Oct. 25 in Paris.

Bryce Lance

WR

Lance's four targets were tied with Alvin Kamara for third most on the Saints behind Chris Olave (seven) and Devaughn Vele (six), with quarterback Tyler Shough completing only 16 of 30 passes. Both of Lance's catches came in the second quarter, the second of which was a two-yard touchdown that tied the game up at 10-10 with five seconds left in the first half. Lance's 36 offensive snaps were third most among New Orleans wide receivers, but his time as the team's WR3 could come to an end as soon as Week 7 against the Steelers on Oct. 25, given that rookie first-rounder Jordyn Tyson (hamstring, IR) is traveling with the team to Paris, per NewOrleans.Football.

Zach Wilson

QB

Mike Reid

CB

John Ridgeway III

DT

Juwan Johnson

TE

Johnson went without a catch in a regular-season contest for the first time since Week 3 of the 2024 campaign. The tight end had reeled in at least three passes in each of the team's first five games of the year. Over the last two weeks, Johnson has caught four of seven targets for 16 yards, and his next chance to get back on track will come in Week 7 against the Steelers in Paris.

Kendre Miller

RB

Alvin Kamara missed time in the first half due to an undisclosed injury, and while he was able to return and make an impact as a pass catcher, Miller led the Saints in rushing yards and touches with 22. The 70 yards also represented his best total since Week 18 of his rookie season in 2023. With Travis Etienne (hamstring) not eligible to return until after a Week 8 bye, Miller should split reps in the backfield with Kamara once again in Week 7 against the Steelers in Paris.

Tyler Shough

QB

While he didn't produce much yardage, Shough kept the Saints' offense humming, connecting with Bryce Lance, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave for scores through the air while adding a one-yard touchdown on the ground in the third quarter. Shough has been playing through a couple broken bones in his non-throwing hand, which could help explain why he has just 242 passing yards over the last two weeks, but the second-year QB showed he can be plenty productive despite the injury. Shough will take a 12:5 TD:INT through six games into a Week 7 tilt against the Steelers in Paris.

Chris Olave

WR

While he didn't see his usual volume on an afternoon in which Tyler Shough threw for only 144 yards, Olave was on the other end of one of the QB's three scores, hauling in an 18-yard TD early in the fourth quarter that proved to be crucial after the Giants staged a late, but unsuccessful, rally. Olave got double-digit targets in each of the first four games of the season, but over the last two contests he's been targeted just 13 times, posting an 8-89-1 line. He'll look to regain some steam in Paris for a Week 7 matchup against the Steelers.

Quincy Riley

CB

Riley suffered a neck injury late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's contest. Coach Kellen Moore seemed confident the cornerback is okay, but Week 7 preparation should offer more insight on the injury.

Zach Wood

LS

Wood missed the Saints' last four games while on injured reserve due to a calf strain. He's been cleared to return Sunday and will resume his duties as the team's long snapper.

Jeremiah Wright

G

The rookie fourth-rounder was unavailable for the Saints' Week 5 loss to the Vikings while in the league's concussion protocol. Wright has been cleared from protocol by an independent neurologist, and his return gives the Saints more depth on the offensive line.

Lorenzo Styles Jr.

S

Vernon Broughton

DT

Broughton was a full practice participant Friday, which was enough for him to shed an injury tag for Sunday's contest. He has six tackles (one solo), one forced fumble and a fumble recovery across four regular-season games.