After starting their season with a 20-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, the New Orleans Saints face a difficult matchup this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers are expected to be without starting quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle, but they still have some weapons remaining on offense, and their defense is no picnic to deal with either.
New Orleans defensive end Chase Young has been ruled out for Sunday due to a calf issue, and offensive guard Trevor Penning also won't play because of a toe injury, per ESPN.
"New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young (calf) and guard Trevor Penning (toe) have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers," wrote Katherine Terrell.
"This is the second missed game for both players. Young was injured in practice last week and is week-to-week according to Saints coach Kellen Moore. Penning was injured during the first preseason game."
Read more: 49ers' Jauan Jennings in Danger of Missing Week 2
Young was signed by the Saints in free agency during the 2024 offseason. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after playing three years of college football at Ohio State University. As a junior with the Buckeyes, he won a slew of individual awards, including the Big Ten Most Valuable Player, and put up 16.5 sacks.
Some feel he hasn't lived up to his potential in the pros, even though he was named the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020. But he has been a very solid player, and he contributed 5.5 sacks and three passes defended last year.
The Saints took Penning with the No. 19 pick in the 2022 draft out of the University of Northern Iowa. He hasn't missed a game since his rookie year, when he was limited to six contests due to a torn ligament in his foot.
Things won't get any easier for New Orleans after it hosts the Niners this weekend. It will hit the road for games against the new-look Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 and Week 4, respectively, before it returns home to host the New York Giants on Oct. 5.
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