Injury Report: Kaden Elliss’ Return Could Be the Missing Piece for Saints Defense Against Steelers in Paris

The New Orleans Saints finally got some encouraging news on the practice field in Paris, and it could arrive at exactly the right time.

Linebacker Kaden Elliss returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant after missing the Saints' past three games with a calf injury. It was his first practice action since New Orleans' Week 3 loss to Las Vegas. Whether Elliss is cleared for Sunday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers remains to be seen, but simply having him back on the field is a significant development for a Saints defense preparing for its biggest opportunity of the young season. 

New Orleans is 2-4. Pittsburgh is 4-2. The Saints are coming off a 34-27 road victory over the Giants and have an opportunity to enter their bye week with consecutive wins.

Getting Elliss back would make that task a little easier.

Sometimes a player's value becomes clearer when he isn't available. That has been the case with Elliss.

During the first two games he missed, New Orleans surrendered an average of 179 rushing yards. The Saints finally showed improvement against the Giants, but the larger problem hasn't disappeared. 

Elliss isn't going to magically solve everything by himself.

But linebackers set the tone against the run. They have to diagnose plays quickly, fill gaps and prevent 4-yard carries from becoming 14-yard gains.

That's where his potential return becomes important.

Pittsburgh doesn't need to dominate on the ground to beat New Orleans. If the Steelers can simply stay ahead of the chains, they can keep Aaron Rodgers away from obvious passing situations and make the Saints defend the entire playbook.

New Orleans needs to make Pittsburgh uncomfortable. Stopping the run is where that starts.

Elliss wasn't the only positive development.

Quarterback Tyler Shough practiced fully despite the left-hand injury that has appeared on recent injury reports. Defensive lineman Nathan Shepherd and cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry were also full participants. 

That's particularly encouraging for Shough.

He responded to his difficult outing against Minnesota by accounting for four touchdowns in Sunday's victory over New York. New Orleans finally complemented him with a season-high 175 rushing yards, allowing the offense to operate without asking the quarterback to rescue every possession.

The Saints need that same formula in Paris. Shough doesn't need to outduel Rodgers in a 40-pass shootout. He needs help.

There are still injury concerns.

Alvin Kamara was limited Wednesday because of a back injury which didn't change on Thursday's injury report, while running back CJ Donaldson was limited with a shoulder injury. Edge rusher Anfernee Jennings, who has been dealing with a knee injury, also returned on a limited basis. 

Perhaps the biggest offensive-line concern is guard Cesar Ruiz, who did not practice Wednesday or Thursday because of a knee injury.

That is something worth watching closely.

Pittsburgh's defense already presents enough problems without New Orleans entering Sunday short-handed along the offensive line. The Steelers' Wednesday injury report included T.J. Watt as a rest absence but was tagged as limited on Thursday, while Alex Highsmith was limited with a groin injury and Jalen Ramsey missed practice because of a wrist injury. 

Those are Wednesday & Thursday designations, not final game statuses. Friday's final injury report will give us a much clearer picture.

The Saints shouldn't rush Kaden Elliss back simply because this is a big game. But if he's medically ready, New Orleans could certainly use him.

This defense has spent too much of the season allowing opponents to dictate games on the ground. Elliss gives the Saints another physical, experienced presence in the middle of that fight.

New Orleans finally created some momentum against the Giants. Now comes the hard part: proving it wasn't temporary.

Stop Pittsburgh's run. Make Rodgers uncomfortable. Protect Shough. Keep the offense balanced.

Do those things and the Saints could leave Paris at 3-4 with two consecutive victories and a completely different outlook heading into the bye.

For a team that looked like it was slipping away just two weeks ago, that's an opportunity worth fighting for.