New Orleans Saints' Preseason Injury Woes Concerning

After a brutal outing Saturday night against the Houston Texans, the New Orleans Saints generated more questions than answers about their preparedness for the regular season opener against the Green Bay Packers.

Coupled with a disconcerting performance by the defense and an inability to protect the football on offense is an expanding list of injuries across the roster. It's ugly and getting uglier by the day.

Against the Texans, newly-signed DT Aubrayo Franklin went down with an MCL sprain and he's expected to miss three weeks, according to head coach Sean Payton. Franklin's injury, while not severe in nature, further exposes a rush defense that hasn't exactly appeared polished.

When you factor in current injuries to DE Jeff Charleston, DT Tom Johnson and an assumed pending suspension of DE Will Smith, the defensive line is suddenly an area that bears monitoring.

Along the offensive line, Carl Nicks left Monday's practice with a left knee injury that is, as of now, still undetermined. With an offensive line already bereft of depth, losing Nicks for any period of time is extremely concerning. With the loss of Jonathan Goodwin in free agency and the recent release of Jonathan Stinchcomb, Nicks' potential absence negatively impacts the continuity and fluidity of an offensive line critical to its team's success.

In the defensive secondary, injuries have continued to pile up and expose the back line, evidenced by Matt Schaub's 163-yard first-half performance on Saturday night vs. the Saints. With Tracy Porter still recovering from offseason knee surgery and Malcolm Jenkins nursing an apparently minor knee ailment, half of the Saints' starting secondary remains at less than full capacity at this point in the preseason.

In addition, third-round pick CB Johnny Patrick remains sidelined with an MCL sprain and free agent acquisition CB Fabian Washington remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Both Patrick and Washington are expected to provide depth at the nickel and dime spots, and their absence robs the secondary of its' depth as the Saints head into the season opener against the Packers.

At the strong side LB position, both Will Herring and Clint Ingram are hobbled. Herring, a free agent pickup from the Seattle Seahawks, has been the front-runner to win the starting job at SLB.

A right calf injury vs. the Texans has put his immediate status on hold, as he too missed practice on Monday. Clint Ingram, also vying for the SLB for the second consecutive year, has proven unable to stay healthy and left Monday's practice with another injury, assumed to be the hamstring that's hobbled him thus far in camp.

At a position that, two weeks ago, appeared to be upgraded, the SLB spot now remains a question mark.

The positive news is that there are still 16 days until the season opener and time to fill the potential injury gaps that may exist come Week 1 of the regular season. Injuries play a role every season, and preparing for and responding to the inevitable injuries that arise is a key component in roster-building and player development.

With a strong front office and highly-capable coaching staff, the Saints appear prepared to handle the adversity.