Hendrickson was limited all week in practice
The New Orleans Saints hope to have more punch in their pass rush in Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
Rookie defensive end Trey Hendrickson, a third-round pick, is active for the game despite being limited in practice all week with an illness. Hendrickson missed Week 1, but the Saints think he’ll be able to provide help off the edge a week after the defense struggled to create pressure against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford.
Linebacker Stephone Anthony (ankle) is inactive for the second straight game. Anthony was also limited in practice all week.
With Hendrickson available, fellow rookie Al-Quadin Muhammad is inactive. Muhammad didn’t play any defensive snaps in Week 1 as the Saints used just three defensive ends — Cameron Jordan, Alex Okafor and Hau’oli Kikaha.
The other players sitting out for the Saints are offensive tackles Zach Strief (knee) and Terron Armstead (shoulder), quarterback Taysom Hill, cornerback Ken Crawley and wide receiver Austin Carr.
For the Patriots, wide receivers Danny Amendola and Matt Slater, middle linebacker Dont’a Hightower, defensive back Nate Ebner, defensive tackle Vincent Valentine and offensive linemen Cole Croston and LaAdrian Waddle are inactive. Amendola, Hightower, Slater and Valentine were ruled out on Friday due to injuries.
