Saints make official decision on quarterback Jameis Winston injury

New Orleans Saints have placed starting quarterback Jameis Winston on injured reserve, per the latest NFL injury report. Winston suffered an ACL tear against Tampa Bay, his former team, in Week 8.

With an injury of this magnitude, the move was inevitable. The Saints will now look to backup Trevor Siemian, who took over following the injury to Winston. The former finished Week 8 with 159 yards and a touchdown on 16-of-29 passing.

Winston joined the Saints this past season and spent the years as a backup to Drew Brees. He was named the starter in 2021 following Brees’ retirement in the offseason. Winston proved to make smarter decisions in the seven games he played this year, throwing for 14 touchdowns to just three interceptions.

Buccaneers linebacker Devin White was fined for the horse collar tackle on Winston that resulted in his ACL injury. He also received fines for roughing the passer and taunting on separate plays for a total of $25,750.

The Saints currently sit at 5-2 and second place in the NFC South behind defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay. New Orleans has a matchup with division rival Atlanta upcoming on Sunday.

A former quarterback for Northwestern, Siemian was drafted in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL draft. He has spent time with the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets and Tennessee Titans before landing with the Saints.

New Orleans also has Taysom Hill, who is used as a change-of-pace option in the offense. Hill started last season after Brees went down with injury.

With Jameis Winston out for the year with injury, the Saints will be tested as they attempt to make it back into the postseason. If they fail to make the playoffs, it would snap a streak of four consecutive appearances.

Even without Winston, the Saints managed to pull out a win last week. Can they keep the streak going Sunday?