Packers: Saints without two key players in Week 1 game

The Packers will play a Saints team without a couple of key players in Week 1.

The New Orleans Saints already had concerns with depth at wide receiver and cornerback entering their Week 1 showdown with the Green Bay Packers. Now it’s even worse.

At receiver, the Packers already knew they wouldn’t be facing former All-Pro Michael Thomas as he has started the season on the PUP list, ruling him out for six weeks.

Now, the Saints have ruled out receiver Tre’Quan Smith due to a hamstring injury, one of their two starters in Thomas’ absence.

The Saints’ healthy receivers on the roster are Marquez Callaway, Chris Hogan, Deonte Harris, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, and former Packer Ty Montgomery.

The situation isn’t much better for the Packers’ opponents at cornerback.

Marshon Lattimore is a Pro Bowler, but behind him on the depth chart there are some big concerns for the Saints.

Ken Crawley, who was set to start opposite Lattimore, has been ruled out of this game due to a hamstring injury.

It means rookie Paulson Adebo, a third-round pick this year, will be forced into a starting position up against Aaron Rodgers. He can expect to be tested early and often, and if he struggles, the ball will keep going his way.

Adebo hasn’t played a meaningful game since 2019, which was for Stanford. It’s been a while, and he now makes his NFL debut up against last year’s No. 1 scoring offense.

Lattimore could follow Davante Adams around, but don’t be surprised if Matt LaFleur tries to get Adams opposite Adebo wherever possible.

Even with their injuries, the Saints have a lot of talent, notably along the offensive and defensive lines. And while depth is an issue at cornerback, they have lots of talent in the secondary still.

But there’s no denying they have some concerns at two key positions entering a game with the Packers.