NEWS

SOCIAL STATS VIDEOS

NEWS

SOCIAL STATS VIDEOS

NEWS

SOCIAL STATS VIDEOS

Scores twice in return Smith (ankle) caught all three of his targets for 85 yards and two touchdowns Sunday in the Saints' 30-20 divisional-round loss to the Buccaneers.

Impact Smith had missed the Saints' previous four contests with a bad ankle, and while his team took the loss, the downfield threat produced his best statistical performance of the season upon his return. Michael Thomas (zero catches) was keyed in on by the Buccaneers' defense, allowing Smith to take advantage of single coverage when he was called upon. The majority of his damage was done on a trick play in which backup quarterback Jameis Winston took the top off of the secondary and connected with the speedy wideout on a 50-yard bomb. Drew Brees simply doesn't have the arm strength at his advanced age to generate big plays like that for Smith, so it will actually hurt the receiver's fantasy value if the Hall of Famer decides to continue playing next year. However, If New Orleans has a new quarterback under center in 2021, and said signal caller can stretch the field the way we saw Winston do Sunday, then Smith could begin to gain traction as a fantasy asset, as he consistently sits atop the team's yards-per-reception rankings, finishing with a mark of 13.2 this regular season even with a declining Brees starting for most of the season.

JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE

Saints pull off trick play to perfection, resulting in Jameis Winston launching a 56-yard TD pass

Saints pull off trick play to perfection, resulting in Jameis Winston launching a 56-yard TD pass

JANUARY 17 • Fox Sports

Returns from IR The Saints activated Smith (ankle) from injured reserve Saturday.

Impact Smith's return to the 53-man roster clears the way for him to play in Sunday's divisional-round contest against the Buccaneers. In his first game action since Week 15, look for Smith to work alongside Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in three-receiver sets. Over 14 regular-season outings, Smith caught 34 of his 50 targets for 448 yards and four touchdowns.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to practice The Saints designated Smith (ankle) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Smith has been on IR since Week 15, but he demonstrated enough progress in his recovering from the ankle injury to rejoin the Saints for practice. The Saints will assess Smith in their workouts Wednesday through Friday before determining whether he's fit to rejoin the team for Sunday's divisional-round matchup against Tampa Bay. If Smith is activated from IR ahead of the weekend, he would likely join Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in three-wideout sets.

JANUARY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Teammate expects return from IR Smith (ankle) could be ready to return for the NFC divisional round, per teammate Deonte Harris, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith has been on IR since Week 15. The receiver will need to be removed from IR in order to suit up, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Smith rejoin his teammates in practice this week in light of Harris' comments after the team's win over the Bears in the wild-card round. More light on Smith's status should be shed once the Saints begin their upcoming week of practice.

JANUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to IR The Saints placed Smith (ankle) on injured reserve Thursday, Larry Holder of The Athletic reports.

Impact While the Saints haven't commented on the severity of the right ankle injury Smith sustained Week 15 against the Chiefs, his placement on IR confirms that he'll require a multi-week recovery. Per Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Smith posted a photograph on his social media Wednesday featuring himself in what appeared to be a doctor's office with his ankle heavily bandaged, suggesting that the wideout may have needed surgery. In any case, with Smith officially shut down for the final two games of the regular season, he'll finish his third NFL campaign with 34 receptions for 448 yards and four touchdowns over his 14 appearances.

DECEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for Christmas Day The Saints ruled Smith (ankle) out for Friday's game against the Vikings.

Impact Smith wasn't able to practice Tuesday through Thursday after injuring his right ankle in last weekend's loss to the Chiefs, making it an easy decision for the Saints to rule him out for the Week 16 game. According to Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune, Smith posted a photograph on social media Wednesday featuring his ankle heavily taped up, which could point toward a multi-game absence. For now, the Saints haven't commented on Smith's status beyond ruling him out for the Christmas Day game.

DECEMBER 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Another missed practice Smith (ankle) didn't practice Wednesday.

Impact Smith injured his ankle Week 15 against the Chiefs and has yet to take the practice field this week, which isn't a great sign as the Saints prepare to host the Vikings on Friday. In the wake of New Orleans placing Michael Thomas (ankle) on IR and Smith's own health concern, Emmanuel Sanders, Juwan Johnson and Tommylee Lewis are the team's remaining wide receivers on the active roster.

DECEMBER 23, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not practicing Tuesday Smith (ankle) didn't participate in Tuesday's practice, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Impact The Saints haven't offered much clarity on the severity of the ankle injury Smith sustained in Sunday's loss to the Chiefs, but his absence from practice two days later hints that the wideout may be dealing with more than a mild concern. Smith will have two more days to try and increase his activity on practice before the Saints rule on his status for Friday's game against the Vikings. With Michael Thomas (ankle) on injured reserve, Emmanuel Sanders would serve as the Saints' clear No. 1 wideout if Smith is forced to miss the Week 16 contest.

DECEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Mahomes' dramatic flair marks Chiefs' 32-29 win over Saints Patrick Mahomes passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs extended their winning streak to nine games with a 32-29 victory over the New Orleans Saints

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Injures ankle Sunday Smith (ankle) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Chiefs, John DeShazier of the Saints' official site reports.

Impact Smith secured one of two targets for 25 yards before being forced out of Sunday's contest. With Michael Thomas (ankle) on IR, it will be a notable blow to New Orleans' receiving corps if Smith can't return. Behind Emmanuel Sanders, the Saints' only remaining wideouts are Juwan Johnson, Lil'Jordan Humphrey and Tommylee Lewis.

DECEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Added opportunities on tap Smith looks set for expanded opportunities on offense with Michael Thomas (ankle) slated to be placed on IR, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Smith was already primed for a starting role in New Orleans' receiving corps, but it will be significant if the team's top target threat is indeed placed on IR for the rest of the regular season. Smith and Emmanuel Sanders served as the Saints' top two receivers from Weeks 2-5, when Thomas was sidelined with a high-ankle sprain. Smith averaged five targets per game in that span, and he put up a two-touchdown performance against the Lions. He and Sanders are the Saints' top healthy wideouts heading into Sunday's game against the Chiefs, with Deonte Harris (neck) questionable.

DECEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Totals 60 yards in loss Smith hauled in three of six targets for 60 yards in the Saints' 24-21 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.

Impact Though he failed to find the end zone, Smith finished with a solid performance against Philly, as he drew six targets and caught three balls for the second week in a row. He'll look to post another solid game when the Saints face the Chiefs in Week 15.

DECEMBER 13, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ability to overcome mistakes prolongs Saints' winning streak The New Orleans Saints have played well enough lately to withstand not only the absence of record-setting quarterback Drew Brees

DECEMBER 7, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Notches TD in win over Falcons Smith secured three of six targets for 42 receiving yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 21-16 win against Atlanta. He added one rush attempt for three yards.

Impact Smith secured Taysom Hill's first career NFL touchdown pass at the 7:01 mark of the first quarter, finding a hole in the Falcons' defense for the uncontested score. He enjoyed a huge spike in involvement, garnering seven targets after attracting just four combined pass attempts between Weeks 9 and 12. The Central Florida product is one score away from opening his career with three straight five-TD campaigns. The Saints will next prepare for a Week 14 road trip to Philadelphia.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Taysom Hill tosses first career touchdown pass as Saints strike first against Falcons, 7-0

Taysom Hill tosses first career touchdown pass as Saints strike first against Falcons, 7-0

DECEMBER 6, 2020 • Fox Sports

One reception in Week 12 rout Smith hauled in his only target for 16 yards in the Saints' 31-3 win over the Broncos on Sunday.

Impact Surprisingly, Smith was one of just two Saints pass-catchers to accumulate double-digit receiving yards (Michael Thomas being the other) in a game during which Taysom Hill threw for just 78 yards. New Orleans crushed Denver on the ground to the tune of 229 rushing yards, accounting for the paltry passing stats. Smith will look to bounce back in a favorable matchup against Atlanta in Week 13.

NOVEMBER 29, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for NFC South battle Smith (concussion) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons, Amie Just of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Impact Smith didn't take long to pass through the concussion protocol, despite taking a big hit in last week's win over the 49ers. He's seen only three targets on 51 snaps since Michael Thomas returned from an ankle injury, and it's unlikely the temporary QB switch from Drew Brees (thumb) to Taysom Hill will be beneficial for the Saints' pass catchers.

NOVEMBER 20, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Logs limited practice Thursday Smith (concussion) was limited at practice Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Smith was leveled and removed for good during the second quarter of this past Sunday's win versus the 49ers. A concussion was the result of the play, but he now has made some progress through the protocol for head injuries. Still, Smith was donning a red non-contact jersey Thursday, per Katherine Terrell of The Athletic, so a cloud is hanging over his head as the weekend draws closer.

NOVEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Kamara-Jones a marquee matchup when Saints host Falcons Alvin Kamara’s next chance to build on his prolific season comes against a Falcons defense that hopes it has an answer to the Saints’ dynamic running back

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Not practicing Wednesday Smith (concussion) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Impact Smith was forced out of last weekend's win over the 49ers after taking a big hit, and he'll now need to fully clear the league's five-step concussion protocol before retaking the field. Deonte Harris and Marquez Callaway will be candidates to for increased roles behind Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders if Smith is unable to play Week 11.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

AP source: Saints' Brees has rib fractures, collapsed lung A person familiar with the situation says Drew Brees has been diagnosed with multiple rib fractures and a collapsed right lung

NOVEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Saints overcome Brees injury, beat 49ers 27-13 Drew Brees was pulled at halftime with a rib injury after passing for just 76 yards and a touchdown, but Alvin Kamara scored three times and New Orleans' defense largely stifled Sa...

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sustains concussion in Week 10 Smith won't return to Sunday's contest against the 49ers due to a concussion, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Impact In the aftermath of a big hit in the second quarter, Smith remained on the turf for some time before needing assistance to reach the sideline and eventually go to the locker room. Before he departed, he was held without a catch on one target. Look for Deonte Harris and potentially Marquez Callaway to get any targets that don't go to starting wide receivers Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Departs Sunday's game Smith (head) went to the locker room during the second quarter of Sunday's game versus the 49ers, Katherine Terrell of The Athletic reports.

Impact Smith took a huge hit and didn't move on the turf for a spell, but he eventually was able to walk of the field with some assistance. Considering the nature of the play, he may be undergoing neurological testing to determined if he suffered a concussion. In any case, Smith only received the one target before his departure.

NOVEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE