LB depth a concern for Saints heading to Green Bay

Saints interim head coach Aaron Kromer confirmed Friday that linebackers David Hawthorne and Jonathan Casillas will miss the Green Bay game, leaving the Saints awfully thin at the position.

Hawthorne started the first three games at weakside linebacker before injuring a hamstring against Kansas City last Sunday. Casillas filled in for him before hurting his neck in the third quarter.

Without them, career backup Will Herring will start along with veterans Scott Shanle and Curtis Lofton. The only healthy backups on the roster are Barrett Ruud, who has not played since the Saints acquired him in a trade with the Seahawks on Aug. 21, and Ramon Humber, who just came off a three-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

“You need three to start,” Herring said. “Obviously we’re thin. Hopefully we won’t lose two or three guys, but the guys we have need to go. The rest of the team’s counting on us.”

Herring has started eight games in his six-year NFL career.

“He wouldn’t be here if he couldn’t get the job done,” Kromer said. “Will can do it.”

Herring relished the opportunity to go against Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers, who has been sacked 16 times, including eight times in the first half against Seattle last Monday.

“Seattle gave us a good blueprint to get after him,” Herring said. “Hopefully we can get to the quarterback and make them one-dimensional. I’m excited. What better opportunity than going to Lambeau and getting our first win.”

Since Hawthorne and Casillas did not practice all week, the Saints had a head start in preparing without them.

“We just have to deal with it,” Kromer said. “Any time you are down a man, it’s going to put a strain on you in some way. As the game goes on, it gets harder and harder on those guys.”

The Saints also will be without reserve DE Turk McBride, who will miss his third consecutive game with a sprained ankle.

Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on Twitter @CBSSaints.