METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave and tight end Taysom Hill are expected to play against the Los Angeles Chargers this weekend.
Neither player had an injury designation on the Friday injury report, meaning they are good to make their return.
Hill has missed five games this season with chest and rib injuries, most recently scoring two touchdowns in the first half of a Week 4 game against the Atlanta Falcons before exiting with a rib fracture. Olave was put into concussion protocol and missed the Saints' Week 7 game against the Denver Broncos.
Saints quarterback Derek Carr is doubtful for the second straight week as a potential emergency option, paving the way for rookie Spencer Rattler to make his third start. Saints coach Dennis Allen said that Carr has recently begun throwing after injuring his oblique against the Kansas City Chiefs, but said recently that they are targeting next week for Carr's return.
"Obviously, getting guys back that you planned on being starters, you planned on counting on, and in particular some of these guys are kind of key cogs in what we do offensively," Allen said. "Hopefully we're able to get the majority of these guys back and be more consistent offensively. We've done some good things, we've moved the ball at times, but then we've made some critical mistakes that have cost us. Hopefully that will help us be better.
The Saints will also get two starting offensive linemen back from injury. Guard Cesar Ruiz has missed four games with a knee issue and guard/center Lucas Patrick has been sidelined for two games with a chest injury. Starting linebacker Pete Werner (hamstring) is also ready to play after missing time.
The Saints have dealt with an "avalanche" of injuries, according to Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, who recently spoke to WWL Radio. Those injuries include an IR stint for starting center Erik McCoy and season-ending injuries to wide receiver/kick returner Rashid Shaheed and cornerback Paulson Adebo.
Adebo, who fractured his femur last week against the Broncos, will be replaced by a team effort of Alontae Taylor and rookie Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Wide receiver Cedric Wilson Jr. and offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri were the only players listed as "out" for this weekend. Nobody else had an injury designation with the exception of Carr.