The New Orleans Saints are far from the most injury-riddled team in the NFL, and compared to last season, only having a handful of players listed on each practice's injury report seems like nothing short of a miracle.

Some players with short-term injuries could be back by as soon as this weekend, although that's not a guarantee. Others are missing more time than many likely expected at the start of the season.

All in all, there are just seven players highlighted in the Black and Gold's Week Four injury report. According to Thursday's report, here's where things stand:

Did Not Practice

• OL Dillon Radunz (toe)
• DE Chase Young (calf)

Limited Participation

• WR Trey Palmer (hamstring)
• WR Devaughn Vele (hip)

Full Participation

• T Taliese Fuaga (knee/back)
• DE Cameron Jordan (groin)
• T/G Trevor Penning (toe)

First, let's take a look at the positives here. The offensive line could soon be seeing a much-needed boost. Despite being a limited participant in practices early in the week, Taliese Fuaga is now participating fully in team activities and is on track to return after being sidelined in Week 3. This is good news for the Saints, as the second-year player out of Oregon State has the third-highest PFF grade (56.2) among the franchise's assortment of tackles and guards.

Likewide, the return of Trevor Penning has been much anticipated through the first few weeks of the season. Although he's struggled, New Orleans' first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft has the frame and athleticism to be a dominant force -- or at least, he's shown flashes of it at times.  While his professional career hasn't been the best, he's looking to take a step forward this year, and at this point, his o-line could use some help. 

Unfortunately, things aren't looking like they'll shape out perfectly in the trenches for the Saints.

Offensive lineman Dillon Radunz hasn't seen action this week as he continues to come back from a toe injury that kept him off the field against the Seahawks. Unfortunately for the Black and Gold, he's one of franchise's most reliable, versatile linemen. So far this season, Radunz's PFF grade of 56.9 has been the highest among the team's guards -- not to mention, his pass blocking grade of 72.0 is the third-highest of the entire offense. While some toe injuries can be season-ending, there have been no indications of that in Radunz's case.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Chase Young has once again stayed off the practice field as he continues to work back from a calf injury suffered ahead of Week 1's matchup against the Cardinals. While the injury didn't seem concerning at the time, the fact that it's still lingering to the point that Young can't practice is concerning. 

The Washington Commanders' second-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft should be entering his prime years. Last season, Young recorded 66 total pressures and 47 quarterback hurries, finishing in the top 10 in both categories among all edge rushers league-wide. Heading into the 2025 season, there were high expectations that Young could take on an even bigger role within the franchise. Four games in, he has yet to play a regular season snap.

Barring any major setbacks against the Seahawks, it looks like the Saints could be trending in the right direction. Perhaps with a little consistency and the return of key players on both sides of the ball, there Black and Gold can find a bit more success on the field.