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jeanpierre

BY JOEL A. ERICKSON | JERICKSON@THEADVOCATE.COM AUG 15, 2018 - 2:44 PM

First-round pick Marcus Davenport has been out of action for most of training camp after suffering a pulled groin.

But Davenport was back at practice on Wednesday, and although he didn't participate, the Saints believe the rookie defensive end is ready to start working his way back.

"It's good," New Orleans coach Sean Payton said. "The news we're hearing is real good, so he's going to be kind of ramping up and accelerating with regards to getting back on the field. That's encouraging."

Davenport, who missed the Saints' first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finds himself in a similar situation to last year's first-rounders.

Both cornerback Marshon Lattimore and tackle Ryan Ramczyk missed the first preseason game and a chunk of training camp due to injury, only to return in the middle of the preseason and then turn in impressive rookie campaigns.

Whether or not Davenport can play in Friday's preseason game against Arizona remains to be seen; he has not taken a snap in practice in two weeks.

Lattimore plans to talk to the rookie about the pressure once he returns.

"I haven't really seen him that much, because he's been injured," Lattimore said. "I'm going to definitely talk to him about it, the pressures of coming in, and you have to be the guy because they picked you in the first round."

It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way...

SaintFanInATLHELL

I hope Nielsen, Allen, and Payton take their time with the rookie. The top of the schedule before the bye is relatively soft for the Saints. It's much more important that Davenport be healthy and well trained when he hits the field for the stretch run than it is to have him limping into the first game of the season. If the kid is the least bit injured, then keep him on the side until he's not injured anymore.

The #1 priority is to have healthy players ready to rotate on the squad. The NFL season is a battle of attrition. And the games in November and December are going to be a hell of a lot more crucial than the top of the schedule. Well of course with the exception of the FailClowns on September 23rd. The only reason anyone should not be playing in that game is because they're dead.

SFIAH

Super Bowl Championships: New Orleans Saints:1, Carolina:0, Atlanta Chokers: STILL ZERO

Only Atlanta choked in an unchokable situation... Life is definitely good.

jeanpierre

In light of today's injury, I really see us keeping five defensive ends now; hopefully one of them is a banged up but recovering Okafor...

It's obvious that Davenport is going to need to add, toughen that hyde up for NFL play and will need to be in a time-share with another DE...

Hoping it's Okafor, but Hendrickson is really coming on so there's that...

Cruize

If the guy isn't healthy or ready, throwing him out there is backing up. I believe at some point he will have impact this season. I think it will probably be more situational. But, the way the DL rotates, that's kinda what they do.

K Major

Completely agree with this. Get this kid 100% ... rush him back, then you open a player up to more serious concerns such as a sports hernia.

Coach Payton has stated he's studying hard, attended the Vonn Miller pass rush summit, asking questions & hanging around our leaders (Cam Jordan, MT, Lattimore, Rankins etc) & soaking it all in. I hope we bring him into the lineup similar to how Philly did with 1st rd talent Barnett last season.

As fans, we just gotta be patient.

saintsfan1976

I didn't think he'd start the season just based on his level of play. Now that's been compounded by lack of experience.

Let's hope he isn't forced into early action.

Rugby Saint II

I was really hoping Okafor would be worked back in slowly and Davenport would get all the reps.........oh well, hopefully they will both be ready when the season starts to be in the rotation.

K Major

Bump ...

I'm looking forward to the joint practices (San Diego Chargers) this week. Those thunderbolts have some monsters coming off the edge.