Chris Olave misses Saints practice with illness; Kaden Elliss still out with calf

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness as the club opened Week 6 preparation for Sunday’s visit from the New York Giants, while linebacker Kaden Elliss remained out with a calf injury that has already cost him two games.

Eleven Saints appeared on Wednesday’s injury report at the Caesars Superdome. Olave’s absence was listed as illness, and it is not yet clear whether it is the same bug that knocked defensive linemen Nathan Shepherd and Vernon Broughton out of Sunday’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Olave, Elliss and the defensive front

Olave did not practice. Shepherd (illness) and edge rusher Anfernee Jennings (knee) also sat out entirely. Broughton (illness) and Colby Wooden (toe) were limited. Elliss has missed the last two games with the calf, and New Orleans has allowed 179 rushing yards per game without him compared with 128.7 in the three games he has played this season.

Running back Alvin Kamara was limited with a back issue. Edge rusher Tyree Wilson (ankle) was also limited. Long snapper Zach Wood returned as a full participant while still on injured reserve, opening his practice window.

Wednesday’s Saints report

• Did not practice: LB Kaden Elliss (calf), EDGE Anfernee Jennings (knee), WR Chris Olave (illness), DL Nathan Shepherd (illness)
• Limited: DL Vernon Broughton (illness), RB Alvin Kamara (back), EDGE Tyree Wilson (ankle), DL Colby Wooden (toe)
• Full: QB Tyler Shough (left hand), LS Zach Wood (calf), G Jeremiah Wright (concussion)

Shough full with the glove; Wright clears concussion

Quarterback Tyler Shough was a full participant and said he will likely keep wearing a glove on his left hand against the Giants as a precaution. He was clearly protecting the hand against Minnesota, often handing the ball off or picking himself up with his right hand, but he told reporters the issue should not limit him this week.

“It didn’t really limit me at all,” Shough said. “It was just a simple switch of hands on certain plays with the hand off and different play actions. But it shouldn’t affect me at all this week holding onto the ball.”

Rookie guard Jeremiah Wright returned fully after missing the Vikings game with a concussion suffered in practice last week. That restores depth on an offensive line that needs continuity behind Shough.

Giants side note

New York’s Wednesday report again listed linebacker Abdul Carter (calf), tackles Andrew Thomas (groin) and Jermaine Eluemunor (calf), safety Tyler Nubin (neck) and cornerback Colton Hood (concussion) as non-participants. Tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) and running back Najee Harris (ribs) were full for the Giants.

Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday, October 18 in New Orleans. Thursday’s report will show whether Olave’s illness was a one-day absence and whether Elliss can finally get back on the field against a Giants offense that will be thin on the edges if Thomas and Eluemunor stay out.