Sean Payton Injury: Updates on Saints Coach's Week 7 Status and Fantasy Value

The New Orleans Saints suffered a devastating injury this week, and it wasn’t to any of their key players, but instead to their head coach Sean Payton.

Excellent Saints tight end Jimmy Graham caught a pass and was fighting for the extra yardage when he was leveled into the leg of his head coach, causing the coach to tear his MCL and break his tibia.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. EDT -- Tim Daniels

WWL-TV out of New Orleans recently tweeted an update on Payton's situation. So far everything seems to be progressing smoothly for the Saints head coach.

It's still unclear what Payton's role for Sunday's game will be. Keep checking back for the latest updates through Sunday.

Injury Update:

After suffering an injury that would cost a player in the NFL a season or longer, most officials inside the organization believe that a successful surgery means Payton will be coaching the team this week from a press box.

ESPN assignment editor Gary Bender is reporting on Twitter about Payton’s surgery:

As long as there are no setbacks during the after-surgery process, Payton is too involved with his team to miss any substantial time.

When He’s Ready to Return

Sean Payton is the New Orleans Saints, and to think he will miss any time because of his leg injury is just foolish.

New Orleans Times-Picayune Saints beat writer Jeff Duncan is reporting on Twitter:

Whether it’s in the press box or on the sidelines, Payton will be the man in charge of the offense and that will not change because he got hurt.

Fantasy Impact

While this injury may not seem like it would have much of a fantasy impact, the lag that comes into play when the coaches are calling down to the field has to make play calling very simple.

Where a complicated play that could easily be told to quarterback Drew Brees right from Payton would be no problem if he was on the sideline, the process of getting the play to the sideline and then into the quarterback could cause issues.

The Saints can simplify their play calling to make the offense run smoother, and that’s the kind of play that can get the New Orleans offense running on all cylinders again.

What They’re Saying

Nola.com is reporting on Payton’s surgery:

"

New Orleans Saints Coach Sean Payton underwent successful surgery Monday morning at Ochsner Medical Center to repair his left tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscal tear, according to a news release from the team. Dr. Deryk Jones performed the surgery, assisted by Dr. Misty Suri. The surgery lasted three hours. Payton will remain overnight in the hospital for observations.

"

ESPN NFL Analyst Trey Wingo is reporting on Twitter:

Check back for more on the NFL world as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Football Page to get your fill of the NFL.

Follow @Donald_Wood