Jameis Winston out for preseason opener with foot sprain

Jun 2, 2022; Metairie, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints Jameis Winston (2) works on passing drills during organized team activities at the New Orleans Saints Training Facility. Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Saints QB Jameis Winston out for preseason opener vs. Texans, 'day-to-day' with foot sprain

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/9/22

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen revealed concerning news when he told reporters on Monday that quarterback Jameis Winston had "tweaked his foot a little bit" and "kind of rolled his ankle a little bit" during seven-on-seven drills.

Winston is still working to fully recover from the torn ACL and damage to his MCL he suffered on October 31, 2021, that ended his season last fall. It's now known that the 28-year-old won't be available when the Saints open the preseason at the Houston Texans this coming Saturday.

Per the official NFL website, Allen announced on Tuesday that Winston suffered a right foot sprain and will not take the field in Houston on Saturday. Additionally, Winston is considered "day-to-day" with this latest setback, but ESPN's Adam Schefter provided a positive update on the signal-caller's condition late Monday night:

Even though Saints’ QB Jameis Winston left practice Monday with a foot injury, one source said “he’s doing well and feels fine. So nothing to really worry about.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 9, 2022

It's unclear if Winston will play in New Orleans' second preseason matchup at the Green Bay Packers on Aug. 19. For now, veteran Andy Dalton, signed by the Saints this past March, will temporarily slide up to the top of the depth chart in Winston's absence.

Before his injury last October, Winston had completed 59 percent of his passes for 1,170 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. He ended the 2021 season with a 5-2 record.

The San Francisco 49ers, meanwhile, are still shopping veteran Jimmy Garoppolo to any would-be buyers, but there's currently no indication the Saints believe Winston will miss so much time that such a trade or pickup is necessary.

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