The New Orleans Saints received a glimmer of hope as key offensive playmakers Taysom Hill and Rashid Shaheed returned to practice ahead of their Week 15 matchup against the New York Giants. Both players had been sidelined in the previous week but participated in Wednesday’s practice, signaling a positive turn of events for the team.
Taysom Hill, currently in his seventh season with the Saints, has been showcasing some of the best football of his career. Despite missing the previous week’s game due to a foot/hand injury, Hill’s overall performance this season has been noteworthy, amassing 346 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, along with 26 receptions for 229 yards. Additionally, he has completed 5 of 8 pass attempts for 72 yards and a touchdown. Hill’s absence last week interrupted a strong stretch where he accumulated 367 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in his last five games.
Rashid Shaheed, an essential offensive asset for the Saints, has been a standout return specialist and an impactful receiver. Despite dealing with a thigh injury that caused him to miss significant playing time, Shaheed expressed optimism about his availability for the upcoming game against the Giants. The second-year pro has garnered attention by receiving the most Pro Bowl votes among NFL return specialists and ranks second on the team in receiving yards with 533. His speed and big-play ability are crucial, especially with star receiver Michael Thomas still on injured reserve.
However, not all news was positive for the Saints. Wide receiver Chris Olave was absent from Wednesday’s practice due to an ankle injury, adding a potential concern to the team’s receiving corps. Additionally, starting offensive tackle Andrus Peat was sidelined with an illness, presenting another challenge for the offensive line. Running back Jamaal Williams, a new addition to the injury report, was limited in practice due to a groin injury, raising questions about his availability for the upcoming game.
As the Saints navigate through these injury considerations, the return of Hill and Shaheed provides a boost to the team’s offensive firepower. Their potential contributions, coupled with the challenges posed by other injuries, will be closely monitored as the Saints prepare for a crucial matchup against the Giants.
