The New Orleans Saints are short-handed on defense this week, as evidenced by the signing of former Saints middle linebacker Manti Te’o on Tuesday. Now that cornerback Marshon Lattimore, kick return specialist Deonte Harris and wide receiver Tre’Qaun Smith are back from various injuries, it appears to be the defense’s turn to catch the injury bug.
Te’o’s return follows the exit of starting linebackers A.J. Klein (knee) and Kiko Alonso (thigh) from Thanksgiving Day’s game against the Atlanta Falcons, each battling separate injuries. Wednesday’s injury report didn’t shed much light on the severity of either situation, with both players sitting out of practice.