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One of the best and most comprehensive features we offer every year is our Footballguys Preseason Updates. Every week this month, Dave Kluge, Clayton Gray, and their team of Footballguys Staffers cover every player that matters from every NFL team. It's 32-plus pages of some of the most comprehensive coverage you'll find. It's probably worth the Footballguys Premium Subscription by itself.
Updates from Week 4
Preseason Updates: Quarterbacks
Tyler Shough finished training camp with multiple touchdown passes in red-zone, 7-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills in the final public practice session at Tulane's Yulman Stadium. "Tyler had an excellent offseason," said head coach Kellen Moore. "His three joint practices were very good work." Unofficially, Shough completed 60 of 78 passes (77 percent) in those practices against the Jaguars, Cowboys and Rams. Shough started camp peppering the middle of the field with targets, but his pass distribution shifted toward the outside and deeper following Jordyn Tyson's injury, with Chris Olave as his main target, as detailed in this Saints training camp breakdown. Shough completed about two-thirds of his passes to Olave throughout camp at an average target depth of around 12 yards. He demonstrated command of the offense in the red zone, leading to a progressively higher touchdown percentage, particularly in practices against the Jaguars and Cowboys. Last year, the Saints were dead last in touchdown scoring rate, according to Football Guys, on drives that entered the red zone, scoring just eight touchdowns on plays run inside the 10-yard line. The Saints confirmed they received calls from general managers asking about Spencer Rattler's availability but ultimately chose to retain him as Shough's backup; Rattler went 30 of 44 for 262 yards and an interception in three preseason games. Zach Wilson closed out the preseason completing 9 of 12 passes for 93 yards against the Cowboys, and both were retained on the 53-man roster. "Both of these guys are capable of playing and being successful quarterbacks," Moore said after Friday's game.
Preseason Updates: Running Backs
With Alvin Kamara still out with an MCL injury, Kendre Miller will start the season as Travis Etienne Jr.'s backup. Miller rushed for 42 yards on nine carries and caught one pass for 15 yards against the Cowboys, all in the first half. "He's always had the juice when he's healthy," Moore said after Friday's preseason game. "He's always going to get you five or six yards. He is a really dynamic player." Almost half of the Saints' run plays were schemed as outside zone, which fits Miller's skill set well, according to Nick Underhill, and Miller described the shift toward more outside zone run schemes as "bread and butter" this season. Devin Neal was placed on season-ending injured reserve after aggravating a hamstring injury on his second carry in the second preseason game. Audric Estimé rushed for 46 yards on four carries, including a 33-yarder, and added 22 receiving yards on three catches against the Cowboys before leaving the game early with an unspecified injury; Moore said it was not related to the ankle injury that kept Estimé out of practice earlier in training camp, and his placement on the 53-man roster suggests he will return within the first four weeks of the season. Ty Chandler is out for the season with a knee injury suffered in the game against the Rams, and recently acquired Zamir White was waived.
Preseason Updates: Wide Receivers
Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve with a designation to return, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the season. Chris Olave had a stellar camp and showed crisp chemistry with Tyler Shough. Devaughn Vele projects as the No. 2 receiver while Tyson is out. Camp standouts Bryce Lance and Barion Brown made the team, and Moore expects both to play significant roles this season. "My goal in camp was to put those two guys on," Moore said. "Obviously, they're going to be playing a ton this year, so trying to get them ready to roll." Nick Underhill counted 26 catches for Lance on 39 targets with four touchdowns; he caught 9 of 10 targets from Shough after moving into the starting group of receivers following Tyson's injury. The team released Bub Means, who had come on strong at the end of camp.
