Injury Concerns for Saints Star: Marshon Lattimore Could Miss Week 2

Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore has faced persistent injury challenges in recent seasons, and this trend may carry over into 2024. The four-time Pro Bowler entered Week 1 healthy but was seen grabbing the back of his leg late in New Orleans’ commanding 47-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers. This was the only setback for the Saints during the game, prompting Lattimore to head to the blue medical tent for evaluation.

After the game, Lattimore downplayed the injury, stating he felt “good” and “solid.” This assessment has been supported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, who reports that Lattimore sustained only a minor injury. While he is not expected to miss significant time, there is uncertainty about his availability for the Week 2 matchup against CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys.

Marshon Lattimore Injury Update: Minor Hamstring Issue, but Doubtful for Week 2

The Saints will be hoping that Lattimore’s hamstring issue doesn’t keep him sidelined in Week 2, especially with the challenging task of facing the Dallas Cowboys. Unlike the Panthers, who may not have a franchise quarterback in Bryce Young, the Cowboys boast Dak Prescott, a top-10 passer capable of testing New Orleans’ talented secondary. Additionally, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, who had a remarkable 2023 season with a league-leading 135 receptions for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, poses a significant threat.

Similar to the Saints, the Cowboys enjoyed a blowout victory in their Week 1 game and didn’t need to push hard in the final quarters. As a result, Lamb had a relatively quiet night, recording only five receptions for 61 yards. If Lattimore is fit to play, he is expected to shadow Lamb for much of the game, aiming to limit the impact of the Cowboys’ top offensive weapon. Should he be unable to play, Paulson Adebo would likely take over the responsibility of covering Lamb, while second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry and Week 1 standout Alontae Taylor would focus on Brandin Cooks and the remaining Cowboys receivers.

Injury History

This injury isn’t a new challenge for Lattimore. After missing just seven games in his first five seasons, he has since been sidelined for a total of 17 games over the past two seasons. Now entering his age-29 season, the former first-round pick remains a strong performer when healthy, but he must demonstrate that his injury issues are behind him. The Saints’ dominant win over the Panthers may temporarily quell trade discussions, but maintaining Lattimore’s health is essential for New Orleans to make a playoff push.

The pressure is on head coach Dennis Allen, as missing the postseason for a fourth consecutive year could jeopardize his job security for 2025. While Week 1’s victory was a promising start, a single blowout win against weak competition doesn’t define a team’s success. The Saints’ 2023 season serves as a reminder, as they missed the playoffs despite a 34-0 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 5. While it appears Lattimore has avoided a major injury this time, fans can only hope this isn’t an indication of more issues to come.

Source: https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/09/10/marshon-lattimore-hamstring-injury-week-2/