Still, it’s hard not to wonder whether something else is going on. Deactivated players who aren’t healthy typically travel with the team to away games.

enkins could have missed the trip for any number of reasons, so it may have nothing to do with football.

The second-year pro has taken a step back this year after a strong rookie season. He has been a healthy inactive for two of the Saints’ first three games this season after missing all of OTAs and part of training camp with a pectoral injury.

But Jenkins seemed to have a positive outlook on his demotion when I asked him about it Thursday.

“You know what, I can’t really say that I’m battling frustration. If anything, I’m using this opportunity to get better and work on things that I wasn’t good at last year and be able to pinpoint my flaws more,” Jenkins said. “There’s a place for me, and right now I just need to make sure when they do call my name and they need me, that I’m ready like I was last year.”

Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said “the biggest thing with John is that he missed all of that time due to injuries.”

“When you’re a big guy missing that kind of time, it’s hard to get back,” Ryan said Friday. It’s hard to [miss] the sweating in training camp and all of the hard knocking and all of that. It takes a while for a defensive lineman. [Brandon Deaderick, who moved ahead of Jenkins], is doing a great job playing. [Jenkins] is working really hard, he’ll get back, but it’s a long process.

“You can’t play this game on your own terms; so if you’re hurt it’s hard to get out there and play it. If you miss all of training camp it’s a hard thing to do, especially for a defensive lineman.”

He's no good to us on the field not being in playing shape, he'll get there and hope he's real hungry when he comes back.