This is officially unofficial, so take it with 10 grains of salt.
But this is how we see the New Orleans Saints' second preseason game, against the 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., unfolding:
FIRST QUARTER: Derek Carr opens at quarterback. He might not have if the joint practices against the 49ers hadn't been cancelled, but he and the offensive line need the work so Carr gets at least two series'. Even though the offense is vanilla, a scoring drive or two would be nice for the starters. Don't expect to see running back Alvin Kamara, rookie left tackle Taliese Fuaga or receiver Rashid Shaheed. On defense, the starters open and go no more than two series, but don't expect appearances from linebackers Demario Davis and Pete Werner, or cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. Carr gives way to Spencer Rattler at quarterback, and Charlie Smyth handles the kicking duties.
SECOND QUARTER: Rattler probably doesn't have receiver Chris Olave on the field, because Olave leaves in the first quarter. But A.T. Perry and Cedric Wilson Jr. take the snaps at receiver, with Jordan Mims at running back. Center Erik McCoy and right guard Cesar Ruis may or may not still be on the field, but right tackle Trevor Penning definitely will be. He needs to play; he and Fuaga played much of the first half in the preseason opener, and the joint practices would've helped both. Landon Young, who started at left tackle for Fuaga, leaves and is replaced by Jesse Davis. On defense, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee stays in the rotation, while the linebackers could be Anfernee Orji and Khaleke Hudson. D'Marco Jackson and Willie Gay started, so they're off the field before halftime. After Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry start at corner, they've given way to Shemar Jean-Charles and Rejzohn Wright.
THIRD QUARTER: Jake Haenerenters at quarterback at some point in the third, as he and Rattler reverse roles in the rotation this week, and he finishes the game. Mims probably is done for the night, so James Robinson and Jacob Kibodi alternate at running back to finish out the game. If the kickers are swapped, Blake Grupe is handling the duties. Defensively, Isaiah Foskey has a chance to make some noise at defensive end because Cam Jordan, Carl Granderson and Chase Young are on the sideline by now. Cornerback and linebacker are a bit thin due to injuries, so Orji and Monty Rice could finish out at linebacker, with Rico Payton and Wright taking the snaps at cornerback.
FOURTH QUARTER: Safety is an unsettled position outside of Tyrann Mathieu. Either Jordan Howden or Johnathan Abram starts with Mathieu, and Will Harris getting early snaps so Roderic Teamer and J.T. Gray could be finishing up the game. The punter position isn't settled, either, and Lou Hedley or Matthew Hayball could nudge ahead of the other with a solid game.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
Full coverage of the New Orleans Saints workouts during 2024 Training Camp at the University of California, Irvine on Friday, August 16.
