Over three games in the 2022 season, Winston went 73-for-115 passing for 858 yards and four touchdowns to five interceptions. He also recorded five rushes for 16 yards.
Analysis: Winston finished his third season in New Orleans as the backup quarterback behind 35-year-old journeyman Andy Dalton. The 29-year-old initially took over the Saints' starting job for the first seven contests of the 2021 season before he suffered a torn ACL and sprained MCL in late October. Winston retained his starting job heading into the 2022 campaign, but he played through injury over the first three games after sustaining four fractures in his back Week 1. He was then inactive Weeks 4 and 5, allowing Dalton to take over and never let go of the Saints' No. 1 quarterback spot. Winston returned Week 6 and was listed as the team's No. 2 quarterback for the final 12 games, though he was never deemed 100 percent healthy by the Saints during this span. As a result, it's unclear how much this injury affected the team's decision to roll with Dalton as the starter. With Dalton now set to hit free agency and Winston entering the final season of a two-year, $28 million contract, there's little clarity as to how either of these two fit into New Orleans' plans at quarterback for the 2023 season.
Jan 12, 2023 10:56 AM EST
Coach Dennis Allen said Wednesday that Winston may not be 100 percent healthy at any point the rest of this season, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Winston has been able to practice fully for weeks, but Allen continues to stick with Andy Dalton as the Saints' starting quarterback, even though the latter has compiled a 2-5 record in his nods this season. As such, Winston is poised to be the team's No. 2 and may not get a chance to regain the top spot on the depth chart without an absence from Dalton.
Nov 16, 2022 12:40 PM EST
Coach Dennis Allen said Andy Dalton will start over Winston despite the Saints now considering the latter to be healthy, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: It was unclear the past couple weeks to what extent, if any, Winston's back and ankle injuries had on Dalton being the starter. Whatever the case, Dalton is set for another start Sunday against the Raiders, while Winston will continue in the backup role. The question now is how long Dalton can keep the job before the Saints look to make another change.
Oct 26, 2022 12:51 PM EST
Coach Dennis Allen said Monday that the Saints have yet to make a decision regarding who will start between Winston and Andy Dalton on Sunday against the Raiders, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Winston has been active the last two games, but Dalton still started and logged most of the QB reps with the former available in case of emergency. Allen noted, "I do think Jameis is getting healthier. ... Both of those guys will have themselves ready to play." Winston hasn't practiced in full since Week 1 as he tended to a number of health concerns, including four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury. Only the back and ankle injuries were noted on the team's Week 7 practice reports, but returning to all activity at some point this week may be the tell that Winston is ready to resume directing the offense.
Oct 25, 2022 10:05 AM EST
Coach Dennis Allen confirmed Andy Dalton (back) as the Saints' starting quarterback Thursday in Arizona, ensuring Winston (back/ankle) will be the team's backup, Omar Ruiz of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: While both Dalton and Winston exited Week 7 prep without injury designations, New Orleans will continue to hold off on reinstalling Winston in the starting lineup due to tending to four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury already this season. Winston instead will serve as the No. 2 for a second consecutive contest, with his next chance to take over the top gig Sunday, Oct. 30 against the Raiders.
Oct 20, 2022 3:09 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) doesn't have a designation for Thursday's game at Arizona, but coach Dennis Allen has yet to name the Saints' starting quarterback between Winston and Andy Dalton (back), Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: The Saints have listed Winston as limited on each of their last six injury reports, and while he'll be active for a second straight contest, it's unclear if he's healthy enough to usurp Dalton for the No. 1 role. Allen doesn't have to tip his hand at any point before Thursday's kickoff, but if Winston is deemed fit to start after missing three games due to four small fractures in his back and an ankle injury, he'll be doing so without wide receivers Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) and tight end Adam Trautman (ankle).
Oct 19, 2022 2:12 PM EST
The Saints listed Winston (back/ankle) as a limited participant at Tuesday's practice.
Analysis: Winston has appeared as a limited participant on each of the Saints' last five practice reports, but the team hasn't indicated that he's on track to reclaim starting quarterback duties. He made enough progress to dress as the backup to Andy Dalton in last weekend's loss to the Bengals, but Winston may have been available only in an emergency. Dalton is nursing a back injury of his own coming out of Week 6, but John Hendrix of SI.com notes that it was Dalton rather than Winston who took first-team reps under center during the open portion of Tuesday's practice. The Saints will likely wait until Wednesday to offer more clarity on Winston's role for the team's Week 7 matchup with the Cardinals on Thursday night, but the 28-year-old looks like he could be trending toward another week of backup duty while he continues to recover from his injuries.
Oct 18, 2022 1:59 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated injury report, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Winston was active for Week 6, but he's still not 100 percent and operated as a backup to Andy Dalton (back). Per Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com, Winston won't be thrust into game action until he is back to full strength, so if Dalton is available, expect the veteran quarterback to continue drawing starts for New Orleans.
Oct 17, 2022 1:59 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) is still not 100 percent, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Despite being active for Week 6, Winston still isn't 100 percent and isn't expected to see the field until he is. New Orleans returns to action Thursday against Arizona, and while Winston may be active again, expect Andy Dalton to continue operating as the Saints' top signal caller, while Taysom Hill garners his usual swiss-army knife role.
Oct 17, 2022 10:00 AM EST
Winston (back/ankle) is listed as active Sunday against the Bengals.
Analysis: While Winston will be available for the first time since Week 3, he won't be leading the Saints offense Week 6 and instead will be Andy Dalton's backup in an emergency capacity. Winston's next chance to reclaim the starting role is this Thursday at Arizona, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Sunday that Dalton may be able to keep the No. 1 gig with another steady performance this weekend. As a result, there's no telling when (or if) Winston will supersede Dalton, even after he's put four small fractures in his back and an ankle issue behind him.
Oct 16, 2022 8:33 AM EST
Winston (back/ankle), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bengals, is scheduled to dress for the contest and serve as an emergency quarterback behind starter Andy Dalton, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Winston's return to action in a backup capacity was foreshadowed Saturday, when the Saints waived No. 3 quarterback Jake Luton. The 28-year-old was a limited participant in practice throughout the week, but the Saints seemingly have hope that Winston may heal up enough to reclaim the starting role Week 7 in Arizona in a Thursday night game. Even if Winston avoids the inactive list ahead of Sunday's contest as expected, he may not be pressed into duty if Dalton is forced to exit early. The Saints would still have the versatile Taysom Hill on hand to take reps under center if the team would rather not expose Winston to further injury.
Oct 16, 2022 6:46 AM EST
Winston (back/ankle) won't start Sunday's game against the Saints but may be active, with the Saints listing him as questionable on the final injury report, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Analysis: It's an upgrade after Winston was listed as doubtful last week and ultimately made inactive. Andy Dalton is set for another start, with Taysom Hill likely poaching some direct snaps in key spots. Winston seems to be making progress and could be back as the starter as soon as a Thursday game against the Cardinals in Week 7.
Oct 14, 2022 1:03 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) was limited at Thursday's practice.
Analysis: For a second consecutive day, Winston had a cap on his reps, but it's far more activity than he logged before he didn't play Weeks 4 and 5. Still, he seems to be inhibited by four small fractures in his back and an ankle issue. Ultimately, Winston's listing on Friday's practice report will be telling for his ability to return Sunday against the Bengals.
Oct 13, 2022 1:30 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday.
Analysis: Winston officially is listed with the same injuries as last week, but he's clearly making progress in his recovery from four small fractures in his back and an ankle issue. He has a pair of opportunities to get back to all activity this week before the Saints potentially give him a designation for Sunday's game against the Bengals. Friday's practice report will be telling for Winston's availability.
Oct 12, 2022 1:51 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) returned to practice Wednesday, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Winston sat out the Saints' last two games as he tended to a number of injuries, including four small fractures in his back and an ankle concern. While he may be limited in his first practice since Week 3 prep, it's a step in the right direction as the team prepares for Sunday's matchup with the Bengals. As for the receiving corps, Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) weren't spotted on the field Wednesday, so Winston may not have some of his top targets this weekend, assuming he makes it all the way back.
Oct 12, 2022 12:13 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
Analysis: Though Winston has seemingly moved past a hip flexor injury, he'll end up missing his second straight game while he recovers from four small fractures in his back in addition to a back issue. Andy Dalton will pick up another start in place of Winston, who will turn his focus toward getting ready for the Saints' Week 6 matchup with the Bengals. Jake Luton and Taysom Hill are both active as backup options behind Dalton.
Oct 9, 2022 8:43 AM EST
Winston (back/ankle) will be listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against Seattle, while Andy Dalton will start, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: The Saints are leaving the door open for Winston to be active in a backup role. He's not a Week 5 fantasy option, missing out on a friendly matchup against a Seahawks team that's been much better than expected on offense and even worse than expected on defense.
Oct 7, 2022 12:20 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle) didn't practice Thursday, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.
Analysis: Winston has yet to practice since playing all 64 offensive snaps Week 3 at Carolina, when he tossed for a season-high 353 yards. Since then, rehab has been his focus as he recovers from four small fractures in his back and an ankle injury. It's unclear if Winston has a chance to suit up Sunday versus the Seahawks, but the Saints will turn to Andy Dalton under center if the former is forced to miss a second game in a row this weekend.
Oct 6, 2022 1:45 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle/hip) was unable to practice Wednesday, instead focusing on rehab, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports. "We're just trying to get him healthy," coach Dennis Allen said.
Analysis: After playing through the pain the first three games of the season, Winston took a seat this past Sunday against the Vikings in London, yielding quarterback duties to Andy Dalton. Winston's current medical chart includes four small fractures in his back, an ankle issue and a hip flexor injury, so it's unclear when exactly he may be able to mix into drills, let alone be cleared for game action. Dalton again will be the next QB up if Winston needs to sit Sunday against the Seahawks.
Oct 5, 2022 12:49 PM EST
Winston (back/ankle/hip) has been downgraded to out ahead of Sunday's London matchup against the Vikings, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: It would have been truly surprising to see Winston be ruled active for Sunday's contest against the Vikings, but Saturday's announcement does take any sort of guesswork out of fantasy managers' hands. Andy Dalton will get the start and will be without one of his top targets in Michael Thomas (foot).
Oct 1, 2022 1:13 PM EST
News powered by