NFL teams
Mike Triplett, ESPN Staff Writer 11y

Saints' Jahri Evans questionable

NFL, New Orleans Saints

METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints guard Jahri Evans' eight-year iron-man streak is in jeopardy. The four-time All-Pro is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals after missing practice all week with a hamstring injury.

Tailback Mark Ingram is one of five others listed as questionable after he was held out of practice all week with a toe injury. Safeties Roman Harper (knee) and Isa Abdul-Quddus (ankle) were officially ruled out Friday.

Of that group, Evans' absence would make the biggest impact. The centerpiece of the Saints' offensive line, he has been named a first-team All-Pro in each of the past four seasons. Even if Evans is able to play, he's likely to be less than 100 percent after being held out of team drills all week. If he can't go, undrafted and unproven rookie Tim Lelito is his primary backup.

Evans' streak of 114 consecutive starts is tied for the third-longest active streak in the NFL, behind only Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher (201) and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (137). Evans hasn't missed a start since he came into the league in 2006.

Ingram's loss would be easier to absorb since the Saints have a deep backfield. He has been splitting touches with running backs Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles, both of whom are capable of handling more touches. Young backups Khiry Robinson and Travaris Cadet could help fill in, if needed.

The Saints are still fairly deep at safety without Harper and Abdul-Quddus. Starters Malcolm Jenkins and Kenny Vaccaro have played every snap this year, and backup Rafael Bush is another dependable option. But the secondary is being stretched thin this week after backup cornerback Patrick Robinson was lost to a season-ending knee injury.

Four Saints defensive linemen are listed as questionable -- Brodrick Bunkley (calf), Tom Johnson (hamstring), Glenn Foster (ankle) and Tyrunn Walker (knee). Bunkley and Johnson missed practice all week, leaving them in jeopardy of missing Sunday's game. Foster and Walker participated in practice on a limited basis, which increases the likelihood that they'll play.

^ Back to Top ^