The Spencer Rattler era started tonight. Game-winning drive, no stopping him now

You don’t think of the first preseason game as a big hurdle for many players, but Saturday night’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals is the toughest challenge yet for Trevor Penning. He needs a strong start after a rocky first few years — even in this exhibition game.

Penning’s summer has gone reasonably well to this point given his move to a new position, having slid to the right side after almost exclusively playing left tackle. But he’s coming off his worst day of practice at Saints training camp after Chase Young closed team drills by sacking Derek Carr three times in a row, beating Penning each time

The New Orleans Saints’ Week 1 matchup against the Carolina Panthers is now only 29 days away, and as it continues to get closer, we continue our countdown of jersey numbers and the histories behind them. With that, we move on to No. 29, a number with a long history throughout the Saints’ existence, including players such as Mo Spencer, Sammy Knight, Josh Bullocks, Chris Ivory, and Paulson Adebo among others.

Here is the full list from Pro Football Reference

The New Orleans Saints have had quite a long injury report throughout training camp, including a total of 25 players being injured at one point or another. Some of the most notable additions have been Chris Olave, Marshon Lattimore, Demario Davis, Juwan Johnson, Bryan Bresee, and Paulson Adebo. These injuries vary in severity, but ultimately they have been primarily short to medium term recovery times rather than anything major. In addition to everyone on this list, backup defensive end Niko Lalos isn’t playing though he hasn’t missed practice with an injury

Jordan Mims has started strong in New Orleans Saints training camp. If he can continue his momentum, Mims can make a stronger claim for third on the depth chart.

Normally, Mim and Kendre Miller would share reps against the Arizona Cardinals. That won’t be the case in the debut. Miller is out with an injury which opens up a huge opportunity. He hurt his hamstring on the first day of training camp and hasn’t returned to practice in two and a half weeks.

Alvin Kamara is at the top of the depth chart, and he’ll handle most of the snaps with the starters. Jamaal Williams will likely take snaps with the second team, and this is where Mims will mix in. Miller’s absence takes him out of the rotation. There have been no signs Miller will return soon. Even if it’s just for a game, however, these are valuable reps

Charlie Smyth just hit from 66!!! Off a hold, too. Not a tee.

— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) August 10, 2024

As Charlie Smyth is entering his first professional NFL game ever, he just knocked in two impressive kicks in warmups.

Smyth is currently in contest with Blake Grupe to be the New Orleans Saints kicker in 2024. It’s unclear how many kickers the Saints will play in their preseason debut versus the Arizona Cardinals, but both men are warming up before the game