Saints to be without top CB Lattimore; Cardinals welcome back WR Hopkins

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Saints to be without top cornerback Marshon Lattimore as Cardinals welcome back DeAndre Hopkins

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/19/22

There were no alarms or surprises on Wednesday's injury report ahead of the Saints-Cardinals "Thursday Night Football" game to kick off Week 7.

The Saints announced wide receiver Michael Thomas (foot) will miss his fourth game in a row and Jarvis Landry (ankle) his third. They'll also be without top cornerback Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) for the second week in a row. All were expected to miss this Thursday's game after not participating in practice this week.

Saints injury report

Marcus Maye upgraded. pic.twitter.com/RHEEHQ7Hxv
— John Hendrix (@JohnJHendrix) October 18, 2022

The Saints have been bitten hard by the injury bug, and the loss of Lattimore in particular will sting even more so thanks to the Cardinals receiving the boost of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins returning from last year's knee injury and a six-game suspension due to PED violation to start the 2022 season.

Cardinals’ WR DeAndre Hopkins’ six-game suspension due to a PED violation ends after today and he is eligible to return in Week 7, when Arizona hosts the Saints on Thursday night.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 16, 2022

“He’s got the best hands in the game and we’re happy to have him back out there.”

J.J. Watt on the return of DeAndre Hopkins Thursday night against the Saints pic.twitter.com/OW86L2SwTP
— Bo Brack (@BoBrack) October 19, 2022

Last week, the Saints lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, with the Bengals taking the lead for good on this play that exposed the Saints' secondary.

JA'MARR CHASE. THERE HE GOES.

: #CINvsNO on CBS
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LIF7AUwqzz pic.twitter.com/e0NWYlOsra
— NFL (@NFL) October 16, 2022

As Hopkins attempts to make his presence felt, the Saints will be missing the presence of their star cornerback.

DeAndre Hopkins knows he’s not going to fix all the Cardinals offensive struggles but he’s going to make a huge impact. pic.twitter.com/Ty95Z9Rhsq
— PHNX Cardinals (@PHNX_Cardinals) October 18, 2022

"One person can't go out there and win the game, but it does help having someone like myself out there who can dictate...how defenses play us,” said Hopkins.

With the Cardinals gaining a huge reinforcement and the Saints losing a player who'd likely be key in stopping him, Hopkins should have even more confidence in his ability to dictate the outcome of Thursday's game.

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