Saunders (calf) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Cowboys, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Saunders missing Sunday's contest comes as no surprise, as the 28-year-old defensive tackle missed the Saints' entire week of practice due to a calf injury sustained at the end of August. Expect Khristian Boyd and Bryan Bresee (illness) to see more snaps with New Orleans' first-team defense while Saunders remains sidelined.
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Saints' Khalen Saunders: Not playing Sunday
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Saunders (calf) is ruled out for Sunday's regular-season opener against the Panthers, John Hendrix of SI.com reports.
Saunders hasn't practiced in any capacity since injuring his calf in New Orleans' Aug. 25 preseason finale. His next chance to suit up will come Week 2 on the road against the Cowboys. Khristian Boyd and Bryan Bresee will stand to see increased work solidifying the interior defensive line until Saunders is recovered.
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Saints' Khalen Saunders: Still absent Thursday
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Saunders (calf) remained sidelined for Thursday's practice.
Saunders was injured in New Orleans' Aug. 25 preseason finale and was given a timetable for recovery of a "couple weeks." Bryan Bresee and Khristian Boyd are next up for reps alongside Nathan Shepherd if Saunders is unable to play against Carolina this Sunday.
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Saints' Khalen Saunders: Dealing with calf injury
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Saunders (calf) is expected to be sidelined for a "couple weeks," Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Saunders was injured in the Saints' preseason finale against the Titans this past weekend. The 28-year-old started all 17 games for New Orleans last season, finishing with a career-best 57 tackles (24 solo) and one pass deflection. Bryan Bresee, a 2023 first-round pick, and rookie sixth-rounder Khristian Boyd will be tasked with elevated reps while Saunders is out.
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Saints' Khalen Saunders: Nursing calf injury
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Saunders sustained a calf injury during the Saints' 30-27 preseason loss to the Titans on Sunday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Saunders will undergo further testing to evaluate the severity of his calf injury. The results of those tests will determine his availability for the Saints' regular-season opener against the Panthers on Sept. 8. Saunders is slated to start on the defensive line alongside Cameron Jordan, Nathan Shepherd and Carl Granderson.
Saunders logged 57 tackles and one pass defended across 17 games during the 2023 campaign.
Saunders played a career-high 500 defensive snaps in 2023 after joining the Saints on a three-year, $12.3 million deal in March. The former Chiefs defensive tackle went on to eclipse his previous career high for tackles set during his 2022 campaign in Kansas City; however, he failed to wrangle a sack for New Orleans after logging 3.5 last season. Saunders will look to maintain a primary role at defensive tackle alongside Nathan Shepherd and Bryan Bresee heading into the 2024 campaign.
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Saints' Khalen Saunders: Questionable with concussion
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Saunders (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the Falcons, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Saunders was a full participant at practice Friday, but there could still be outstanding steps for him to clear league concussion protocol. If he's not able to do so before Sunday, rookie first-rounder Bryan Bresee would probably start in his place.
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Saints' Khalen Saunders: Misses practice Wednesday
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Saunders (concussion) did not participate at the Saints' practice Wednesday.
Saunders popped up on the injury report to open the week with a concussion, putting his status in question for Sunday's crucial matchup with the Falcons in question. The defensive lineman now faces an uphill battle of clearing concussion protocol ahead of Week 18.
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Chiefs' Khalen Saunders: Career-best campaign in 2022
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Saunders tallied a career-high 48 tackles (22 solo) and 3.5 sacks during the 2022 regular season.
Saunders' was operating in a contract year in 2022 and produced a career-best campaign at the right time. It remains to be seen where he will suit up in 2023, but he should be able to secure a roster spot somewhere in the league.
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Chiefs' Khalen Saunders: Officially sitting out Saturday
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Saunders (illness) will not be available for Saturday's game against the Seahawks.
Saunders will miss his first game of the year after failing to practice Week 16 due to an illness. The 26-year-old has recorded 43 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one pass defended while playing a prominent role alongside star defensive tackle Chris Jones this season. With Saunders sidelined, Derrick Nnadi and Brandon Williams will likely see increased usage against Seattle.
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Chiefs' Khalen Saunders: Designated for return from IR
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Saunders (undisclosed) was designated to return from IR on Tuesday, Pete Sweeney of ArrowheadPride.com reports.
Saunders was placed on IR on Nov. 30 and hasn't played since Week 7 against the Titans. Now that he's been designated to return, he can practice with the team again. He'll work to prove he's healthy enough to return Saturday against the Broncos.
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Chiefs' Khalen Saunders: Won't play Monday night
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Saunders (knee) has been ruled out for Monday's contest against the Giants, Herbie Teope of The Kansas City Star reports.
Saunders recorded a season-high four tackles against the Titans during Week 7, but he appears to have picked up a knee injury that will sideline him for at least one week. Tershawn Wharton will likely see an uptick in snaps with Saunders out for the Chiefs' Week 8 matchup with the Giants.
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Chiefs' Khalen Saunders: Returns from injured reserve
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Saunders (elbow) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.
The 24-year-old has been sidelined since suffering the dislocated elbow in the season opener, but he's back in time for Week 7. Saunders filled a rotational role with 22 tackles and one sack last season and figures to be used similarly in 2020 now that's he's healthy.
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Chiefs' Khalen Saunders: Placed on IR
Rotowire
The Chiefs placed Saunders (elbow) on injured reserve Saturday.
Saunders is expected to be sidelined for a month due to a dislocated elbow, so this decision was inevitable. He will be available to return from IR after three weeks. While he is sidelined, look for Tershawn Wharton to see an uptick in defensive snaps.
