COVID is forcing the Saints to adjust for a second week. Last week it was head coach Sean Payton and now about two handfuls of players including their top two quarterbacks, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian are on COVID reserve. Saints Tight End Nick Vannett believes rookie QB Ian Book will be ready for Monday’s game against Miami.
“We’ve just got to do a good job of getting him settled into the game, we can’t put too much on his plate right away. Just kind of get him settled in, kind of build his confidence up a little bit and I think once we do that we’ll be fine,” said Vannett.
Vannett, the only active TE on the Saints roster, is familiar with major shuffling for COVID, last November when he played for Denver, the Broncos had only a day’s notice before they played the Saints without a quarterback.
“So, if this is what’s going to happen, it’s a good thing it’s happening now, that way we have time to prepare and plan for it, rather than the day before, kind of like how it happened to us last year,” said Vannett.
Saints Kicker Brett Maher who was three for three on field-goal attempts during Sunday’s 9-0 win over Tampa Bay, said with COVID the team has to be flexible and they’ll be ready to play the Dolphins in the Dome.
“You’ve got to be able to adapt, adjust and still be able to perform whenever you’re called on,” said Mahar.
In addition to Hill and Siemian, tight ends Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson, and safety Malcolm Jenkins are also on COVID reserve. Sources say more players still are expected to land on the COVID-19 list
Kickoff Monday night is at 7:15.
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