Los Angeles – New Orleans Saints third-year cornerback P.J. Williams likely will make his first start since Week 3, and second-year cornerback De'Vante Harris possibly will make his first NFL start, when the Saints take on the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, Nov. 26 at L.A. Memorial Coliseum.
The Saints (8-2), who are seeking their ninth straight victory – which would tie the second-longest winning streak in franchise history – are without starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (ankle) and Ken Crawley (abdomen), who head the list of inactives for the game. Each was injured during last Sunday's 34-31, overtime victory against Washington.
New Orleans last week signed cornerbacks Sterling Moore, who started 12 of the 13 games he played for the Saints last season, and made the opening-game roster before being released Oct. 25, and Dexter McDougle, who began this season with Philadelphia, as support for the depleted position. Moore's familiarity with the system, physically and in terms of communication with fellow secondary members, means he could play a significant role Sunday, too, possibly as a starter and definitely in the sub packages.
The secondary will receive a boost from the return of safety Kenny Vaccaro, who missed the previous two games with a groin injury. Vaccaro said he could have played against Washington, but was inactive as a further precaution to ensure that he would be 100 percent when he returned to the lineup.
Vaccaro's inclusion will give the Saints five safeties available – Vaccaro, Marcus Williams, Vonn Bell, Rafael Bush and Chris Banjo. That gives the team bodies for its three-safety packages defensively, and perhaps more speed in special team coverage. Rams returner Pharoh Cooper averages 30.2 yards per kickoff return, including a 103-yard touchdown, and 10.4 yards per punt return.
Also returning for the Saints is linebacker A.J. Klein, who missed the Washington game with an ankle injury.
The remaining inactives are: Taysom Hill (third quarterback); running back Jonathan Williams; center Cameron Tom; receiver Austin Carr and defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad.
