| Devery Henderson is back from a concussion he sustained against the Redskins. (US Presswire) |
The Saints wide receivers have been unusually quiet in the first two games, and they may go a third week without having their key guys healthy after a good news/bad news Wednesday practice.
The good: Devery Henderson returned after missing the Carolina game due to a concussion he sustained in the third quarter of the opener against Washington. The bad: Marques Colston was limited with a lingering foot problem that kept him out of practice for much of the first week.
The WRs have only 18 of the Saints’ 55 catches and only one of their six touchdowns. Colston’s longest gain is 29 yards, and he caught just three balls against Carolina last Sunday.
“He wasn’t Marques Colston in the game,” interim Saints coach Aaron Kromer said. “That hindered us a little bit. He wasn’t running as fast as he normally does.”
Colston’s fumbles (one) outnumber his touchdowns.
“I know he’s been battling that (foot injury), and it’s been frustrating for him,” QB Drew Brees said. “He’s continuing to do everything he needs to do to put himself in position to be full go and be his best. I’m confident he’ll be there very soon.”
Henderson’s return could help open up defenses. He is the fastest receiver among Saints veterans. Second-year pro Joe Morgan, another speedster, dropped three passes while catching one as Henderson’s replacement.
“Devery plays all the receiver positions, he’s been in the system for a long time and knows it very well,” Brees said. “He can do everything. He can do the downfield stuff, the short stuff and he’s a great blocker.”
Arrington released: The Saints waived WR Adrian Arrington from injured reserve after reaching an injury settlement with him on Tuesday.
Arrington entered training camp as New Orleans’ No. 4 receiver and the likely replacement for Robert Meachem, who signed with San Diego in the offseason. But Arrington missed all five preseason games after having meniscus surgery in August. He returned to practice the week before the regular-season opener against Washington but took himself out after one day, saying the knee felt sore.
The Saints released him Sept. 10, then put him on IR two days later.
Mack in, Murphy out: The Saints re-signed CB Elbert Mack and cut CB Jerome Murphy this week, reversing a decision they made before the first regular-season game. Mack, who played four years with Tampa Bay as an undrafted free agent, made the 53-man roster but was released two days later when the Saints claimed Murphy off waivers from St. Louis.
Murphy had three tackles in the first two games.
This and that: When the Saints arrived in the locker room Wednesday, they found small mirrors attached to each locker. The idea was to make sure every player looked at himself rather than pointing the finger at someone else for the 0-2 start. Suspended coach Sean Payton specialized in similar motivational techniques. … RB Darren Sproles, who averaged 6.9 yards on 87 carries last year, has zero carries through two games. Kromer said Sproles’ role had not changed, and his lack of carries was dictated by situation. The Saints have played largely from behind the first two weeks.
Follow Saints reporter Guerry Smith on twitter @CBSSaints.