Irvine, Calif. – Rookie offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga became the second New Orleans Saints starter to experience back tightness at training camp practice this week.
Fuaga left Thursday's practice at Cal-Irvine before any team drills took place; running back Alvin Kamara left practice early Tuesday due to his back tightness.
Fuaga's absence probably is the more critical of the two, given that while he smoothly appears to have adjusted from playing right tackle in college to left tackle for the Saints, he and the offensive line still need work to become as cohesive as they can be before entering the regular season. The Saints will play the second preseason game Sunday, against the 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. Fuaga started against Arizona and remained on the field even after the rest of the starters went to the sideline following the first two drives.
Thursday, Landon Young filled in at left tackle with the starters when Fuaga departed.
"Looked to me like prior to even starting practice, looked to me like he was kind of stretching his back out a little bit," Coach Dennis Allen said of Fuaga. "I would say this, I would say if he is a healthy body and capable of playing, then he'll play in the game. And if he's not, he won't. But I really have no idea right now. The only thing I know is that he had some back tightness."
AUSTIN'S POWERS: Arguably, the best catch of the day was made by rookie receiver Kevin Austin Jr., who had an all-hands, sideline grab between a couple of defenders on a windowpane throw by quarterback Derek Carr to convert a third down. Austin was marked out of bounds at the 3 on the long pass, and Carr then threw a touchdown to tight end Foster Moreau as the offense converted a touchdown drive while trailing 13-7. The extra point gave the unit a 14-13 win.
Allen said Austin deservedly has drawn attention during camp.
"He's certainly made a couple of plays, the play he made today was an outstanding play and a huge play, it certainly catches everybody's eye," Allen said. "He had to play a lot of positions in the game (against Arizona) and I think some of the wires got a little short-circuited. I want to see him consistently knowing what to do, how to do it and being able to execute at a high level. I like some of the splash plays that I see and much like a lot of these young guys, I want to see a little consistency."
LESS IS MORE: The Saints shortened Thursday's practice, following Wednesday's high-volume work.
"We were out here a little bit less time by design," Allen said. "I think our guys have been giving everything they've got in terms of practicing with the right type of intensity, the right type of effort, the right mind-set. So we cut back a little bit today, we'll cut back again a little bit (Friday). We got some good work here."
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: Quarterback Jake Haener is from Danville, Calif., less than 50 miles away from Sunday's preseason game against the 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. But while Haener is excited about that homecoming, there's one that has him even more hyped.
"I'm looking forward to going back to the Bay, but I am fired up to get back to Louisiana," he said. The Saints will head back to New Orleans after the game, and on Tuesday will hold the first of two open practices, at Tulane's Yulman Stadium.
"I was telling Derek (Carr), too, that it feels like I haven't been there in two or three months," Haener said. "Go be back in front of the fans, have a couple of open practices, have them feel the energy and what this offense can bring. Just let them know we appreciate them, let them know that we're excited to be back, excited to go win some games."
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Thursday, August 15.
