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NEW ORLEANS -- Ted Ginn Jr. has been ruled out of Monday night's game with a knee injury, which could create more opportunity for New Orleans Saints rookie receiver Tre'Quan Smith or fourth-year pro Cameron Meredith. The severity of Ginn's injury is unknown. He played through a knee injury in recent weeks despite being limited in some practices, but then he didn't practice at all this week. The Saints (3-1) have a bye in Week 6, which gives him extra time to heal. Ginn, who is used often as a deep threat, has 12 catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns this season. He ranks second among Saints receivers behind Michael Thomas in every category, although running back Alvin Kamara and tight end Benjamin Watson have more catches and yards. Smith, a third-round pick from Central Florida, could potentially run downfield routes in Ginn's place. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder showed some big-play ability throughout training camp and the preseason, but he has just one catch for 18 yards so far this season. Meredith, meanwhile, has gradually worked his way into the offense after recovering from a knee injury suffered in 2017, when he was with the Chicago Bears. He was inactive for the first two games this season. Then he caught four passes for 43 yards and a touchdown over the past two weeks. Meredith (6-3, 207) could be used both in the slot and on the outside. Second-year pro Austin Carr is also an option in the slot. The Saints' healthy pass-catchers could be part of history on Monday night when New Orleans hosts the Washington Redskins. Drew Brees is just 201 yards away from passing Peyton Manning as the NFL's all-time passing yardage leader. Washington, however, ranks among the NFL's top three defenses in total yards, passing yards and points allowed per game. The Saints also released running back Mike Gillislee and officially activated running back Mark Ingram after his four-game suspension. New Orleans signed Gillislee in Week 1 after he was released by the New England Patriots, but he carried the ball just 16 times for 43 yards with one catch for 9 yards, no touchdowns and one lost fumble.
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