Hockenson was tackled and his head slammed the ground hard. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Hockenson suffered a concussion, hence, he was downgraded to out. This is a big blow, as wideout Jordan Addison is not playing vs Saints either.

The fact of the matter is that now, the Vikings will have an uphill battle to produce yards. They’ve got too many injuries on offense, so their unbeaten record might be in real jeopardy.

The Vikings offensive injury list is lengthy

Minnesota is 4-0 but that is not because of their offensive prowess. In fact, after Week 1, the Vikings have struggled to actually just score touchdowns. When you see the injuries they’re dealing with, it’s not that surprising. Even Justin Jefferson had limited practices all week.

• TJ Hockenson
• Jordan Addison
• Jordan Mason
• Christian Darrisaw
• Ben Yurosek

The Vikings offense ranks badly in the NFL

Minnesota’s offense has struggled badly. The Vikings rank 31st in yards and dead-last in passing yards. It’s remarkable to see the defense holding this team and earning wins.

Key takeaways

• TJ Hockenson was ruled out after suffering a concussion against the New Orleans Saints.
• Minnesota’s lengthy offensive injury list includes Jordan Addison and Jordan Mason.
• The Minnesota Vikings offense ranks dead-last in passing yards across the NFL.

Addison is dealing with a hamstring injury, hence his absence, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. However, the Vikings also answered if Justin Jefferson is playing today vs Saints.

The other big-name wide receiver on the roster is Odell Beckham Jr., who isn’t playing for the Giants anymore. Still, he is inactive. Hence, it’s going to be a real challenge for quarterback Kyler Murray to move the chains, though having Jefferson always help.

Murray has formed chemistry with TE TJ Hockenson

The Vikings have dealt with wide receiver injuries all season long. Hence, the tight end TJ Hockenson has become very important. While Murray missed a couple of games, last week they played and found natural chemistry.

Hockenson had a season-high game in targets (13), catches (13), and receiving yards (119). Justin Jefferson will serve as the home run weapon in this game, but Hockenson is the safety net for Murray.

Vikings WR depth chart vs Saints

The Minnesota Vikings WR depth chart against the New Orleans Saints is thin. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell is a masterful playcaller, so the offense should still work at some degree. This is the full depth chart:

• Justin Jefferson
• Jauan Jennings
• Tai Felton
• Myles Price

Key takeaways

• Jordan Addison will miss Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints with a hamstring injury.
• TJ Hockenson set season highs with 13 targets, 13 catches, and 119 receiving yards.
• Justin Jefferson and Jauan Jennings lead Minnesota’s wide receiver depth chart for Week 5.

Travis Etienne Jr. is not playing today because he was placed on the Injured Reserve (IR) list due to a hamstring injury. He suffered and aggravated the soft-tissue injury during the third quarter of the New Orleans Saints Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Because he is on Injured Reserve, Etienne is required to miss a minimum of four games. His earliest possible return to the active lineup would be in Week 9. Hence, the Saints will have to use their RB depth chart to substitute him.

Saints RB depth chart vs Falcons

Without Etienne, the Saints will continue to use their run-by-committee, distributing the snaps across the depth chart. That is something the Saints have done even with Etienne healthy. This is their RB depth chart:

• Alvin Kamara
• Kendre Miller
• CJ Donaldson

Falcons RB depth chart vs Saints

The Falcons running game is way different. They do have an elite RB who is an absolute workhorse. Bijan Robinson has established himself as a top-tier player with incredible skills. This is the Falcons RB depth chart:

• Bijan Robinson
• Brian Robinson Jr.

Key takeaways

• Travis Etienne Jr. was placed on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury.
• His earliest possible return from the mandated four-game absence is Week 9.
• The Saints will distribute snaps between Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, and CJ Donaldson.

The Atlanta Falcons still have doubts regarding Tua Tagovailoa’s availability to serve as the backup quarterback today, with Michael Penix Jr. starting and Cooper Rush as the third-string QB.

On the Saints’ side, there is no major news at the quarterback position, though they will be without rookie Jordan Tyson. The starter position remains with Tyler Shough, with backup Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson as the third option.

Michael Penix as a key piece for the Falcons

The Falcons finally got Michael Penix Jr. back in Week 3, and the third-year quarterback proved to be the spark this offense needed to get rolling. Penix completed 18 of 25 pass attempts for 256 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in his 2026 debut against the Green Bay Packers.

Atlanta’s improved passing attack opened things up even more for Bijan Robinson. The Falcons’ star running back racked up over 200 scrimmage yards in Week 3, while wide receiver Drake London had a breakout 194-yard performance in Penix’s return. Health-wise, Atlanta is in fairly good shape entering Week 4.

A special matchup for the Saints

The Saints appreciate their great health status and will leave everything on the field in a very special game. The game will commemorate the historic “Domecoming” anniversary, the New Orleans Saints’ first game back in the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina, on Monday Night Football on Sept. 25, 2006.

The New Orleans Saints are wearing a commemorative patch celebrating the Black-and-Gold team’s 60th anniversary season and the 20th NFL season of their return to the Superdome after Hurricane Katrina.

Key takeaways

• Michael Penix Jr. is QB1 for Atlanta, backed by Tua Tagovailoa and Cooper Rush.
• Tyler Shough leads New Orleans as QB1, backed by Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson.
• A 20th anniversary patch celebrates New Orleans’ Superdome return on Monday Night Football.

Tua Tagovailoa is not starting because Michael Penix Jr. has returned from injury to take the starting quarterback job for the Atlanta Falcons. Hence, Tua is now relegated to a backup role. The starting and backup QBs for tonight’s Saints vs Falcons matchup are set.

Tagovailoa was, at one point, scheduled to be the starter for Week 1. However, the former Miami Dolphins QB suffered a back injury. Now, he has been relegated to being a backup for another leftie signal-caller. As for the running backs, both the Saints and Falcons have their depth charts defined for this MNF game.

The first Falcons QB in 2026 was complicated

With Tagovailoa’s back injury and Penix still recovering from a knee injury, the Falcons used veteran Cooper Rush. He was just underwhelming throughout the first two weeks, even getting benched in Week 2 for 4th-stringer Jack Strand, who got intercepted immediately after entering the game.

Rush completed just 22 of 39 passes for 56.4% completion, 229 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions. Hence, the Falcons were grateful to see Penix coming back. Now, Tua is back, but he is QB2.

Penix shined in his 2026 debut

In his first game, Penix delivered on primetime against the Green Bay Packers. Penix completed 18/25 passes for a 72% completion. With that, Penix racked up 256 yards, and one touchdown. Penix threw an interception in his first drive, but he overcame the obstacles and delivered a very good perfomance.

His final tally saw him get a 101.4 passer rating. Now, Penix should be more settled and the offense should look even better. However, with Penix under center, wideout Drake London looked phenomenal with 194 yards, while running back Bijan Robinson had the same yards rushing.

Key takeaways

• Tua Tagovailoa is serving as the backup quarterback after Michael Penix Jr. returned from injury.
• Cooper Rush threw four interceptions and 229 yards across the first two weeks.
• Penix completed 18 of 25 passes for 256 yards in his season debut.

Tyson is out with a hamstring injury for the game against the Falcons, and the update from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday was not a positive one. He is still “weeks away” from his return, Schefter wrote.

“(Tyson) is said to be making progress and feeling good but is still considered to be weeks away from returning to action,” Schefter shared via league sources. The loss is tough for New Orleans, as the rookie was expected to be a key part of the offense.

Saints taking no risks with Tyson

New Orleans is clearly prioritizing their player’s health to ensure he does not suffer a setback from an early return before he reaches 100%, a point Schefter also highlighted.

“The Saints have been intentionally deliberate with Tyson, who they feel is a key component to their future,” Schefter writes. “There will be medical checkpoints for Tyson to clear soon, and the Saints are pleased with the progress he has made in his recovery, sources said.”

What happened to Tyson?

Tyson hurt his right hamstring during joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Aug. 13. He did miss three games last season at ASU with a hamstring problem, but Saints coach Kellen Moore has said these are different issues.

The earliest that Tyson might return to the NFL, according to Schefter, is Week 7. He is eligible to return in Week 5, but it sounds like that will not be happening because the team is prioritizing a full recovery.

Key takeaways

• A hamstring injury keeps Jordyn Tyson sidelined, with reports stating he remains weeks away.
• Aug. 13 marked the joint practice where the right hamstring injury originally occurred.
• Week 7 represents the earliest potential return target for the rookie wide receiver.

Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. is missing today’s game because he is serving an eight-game NFL suspension for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Pearce is eligible for reinstatement on November 2, 2026, and can return to the field in Week 9 when the Falcons face the Cincinnati Bengals, meaning he still has five games left to miss.

What did James Pearce do?

According to the investigation, he was arrested in February 2026 in Florida following a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, WNBA player Rickea Jackson, leading the NFL to take disciplinary action against the player.

He faced felony charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, fleeing/eluding police, resisting an officer with violence, and misdemeanor stalking.

He entered a six-month pretrial intervention/diversion program to have the charges dismissed if he meets the program’s conditions. As for the league’s disciplinary action, the NFL handed down an eight-game regular-season suspension without pay starting August 30, 2026.

Stepping up in place of James, edge rushers like Cameron Thomas and Azeez Ojulari have taken on larger roles as backups and rotational starters in his absence. Nevertheless, his absence remains a significant loss for the defense.

Key takeaways

• An eight-game suspension is being served by James Pearce Jr. for policy violations.
• November 2, 2026 marks his eligible reinstatement date before returning in Week 9.
• Cameron Thomas and Azeez Ojulari stepped into larger roles as edge rushers.

The positive thing for Kamara and the Saints is that, while Etienne was the starter, Kamara and Kendre Miller also saw snaps. The offense was operating as a three-headed committee. This is the depth chart without Etienne:

• Alvin Kamara
• Kendre Miller
• CJ Donaldson

Kamara is now the clear-cut guy despite the committee

While Miller will get his fair share of snaps, Kamara is the more polished running back. Also, Kamara is elite in the passing game, so he will be used more in play-action or checkdowns option.

Hence, even if he won’t be a workhorse, Kamara is the guy the Saints will predominantly trust their veteran to produce in key moments of the game. It’s also worth mentioning that the Saints are a pass-happy offense with quarterback Tyler Shough leading the NFL in both pass attempts (132) and pass completions (91).

Kamara is a different kind of RB

Kamara is not the most explosive back out there. He leans towards patience, huge ability to stay on his feet and balance out of contact. He won’t explode for a huge run, and he won’t juke anyone out of their feet, but he will get plays going.

Kendre Miller is more of a blend of physical, downhill running and surprising lateral agility. Hence, he complements Kamara’s skillset to make the Saints’ running game one that is very effective.

Key takeaways

• Travis Etienne was placed on the Injured Reserve list, sidelining him for four games.
• Saints quarterback Tyler Shough leads the NFL with 132 pass attempts.
• Kendre Miller complements the backfield with a blend of physical, downhill running.

Fans and fantasy football owners were awaiting confirmation as Browers was listed as questionable after missing the first two weeks of the season, but the Raiders star is finally back.

A first-round pick in most fantasy football drafts and the best receiving option on the Raiders, there was a lot hanging in the balance as Las Vegas is still straddling the fence on whether Bowers will play.

Bowers’ stats in 2025

Last season, Bowers finished the campaign with a grand total of 64 receptions for 680 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. It was a downgrade from his record-breaking rookie year, but still not too shabby, either.

Although he missed five games in the 2025 NFL season with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury and a bone bruise in his left knee, Bowers was still a force to be reckoned with last year.

Bowers is still widely rated as the best tight end in the NFL, and he won’t want to miss a second making his presence felt.

Key takeaways

• Brock Bowers is making his season debut against New Orleans.
• He is recovering from minor arthroscopic knee surgery to trim a left knee meniscus tear.
• Last season, he recorded 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns across 12 games.

Flowers was spectacular before suffering the injury against Indianapolis, finishing the first half with five catches for 150 yards and a touchdown. His absence therefore represents a significant blow to a Ravens offense that looked extremely dangerous with Lamar Jackson leading the way in Week 1.

The good news for Baltimore is that Flowers’ injury is not currently viewed as a major long-term problem. He returned to practice on Friday in a limited capacity and was considered close to playing against New Orleans, but the Ravens ultimately decided not to rush their top receiver and ruled him out.

When will Zay Flowers return from injury with Ravens?

Zay Flowers could have a chance to return next week when the Ravens travel to Brazil to face the Dallas Cowboys. Head coach Jesse Minter has described the receiver as day-to-day, and his return to practice before the Saints game is an encouraging sign that the hamstring issue could be relatively short-lived.

Baltimore will nevertheless be cautious with Flowers after he previously missed two weeks during training camp because of a hamstring issue. The Ravens clearly do not want to risk turning a manageable injury into a lingering problem this early in the season.

With Flowers unavailable against New Orleans, Rashod Bateman will move into the top receiver role for Lamar Jackson. Bateman did not record a reception in Week 1, but he now has an opportunity to become a major factor while Flowers watches from the sideline.

Bateman could be especially important because Baltimore’s offense was so explosive with Flowers against Indianapolis. If he can provide a reliable target for Jackson against the Saints, the Ravens could maintain much of their offensive threat until Flowers is ready to return, potentially as soon as Week 3 against the Cowboys.

The Saints’ coaching staff is encouraged by the possibility of having as many players available as possible for this game. Ian Rapoport also reported on X that Chase Young is expected to suit up against the Ravens.

While traveling to Baltimore is always a challenging proposition, the New Orleans Saints have plenty of reasons to believe they can come away with a win. Having their star players available could be the key to making that happen.

What injury is Chris Olave dealing with?

Chris Olave is currently dealing with a hamstring issue that popped up midway through practice ahead of Week 2. After going full speed early in the week, he tweaked his hammy during Thursday’s session and had to step back as a limited participant, which immediately landed him on the injury report with a questionable tag.

While the Saints treated the move mostly as a precautionary measure to avoid making it worse, hamstring strains are notoriously tricky for explosive receivers who rely on quick cuts and top-end speed, so the training staff monitored his workload closely before giving him the full green light.

Olave’s impact on the Saints

Olave is the absolute engine of the Saints’ passing game, serving as the undisputed top target who fundamentally dictates how opposing secondary schemes adjust. In the Week 1 shootout against the Detroit Lions, he put that elite focal-point role on full display by commanding a team-high 13 targets, hauling in 10 receptions for a massive 182 receiving yards.

When he’s on the field, his crisp route-running and ability to stretch coverage high-low open up the entire playbook—making his health status crucial for keeping the offense operating at an explosive level rather than getting bogged down.