Top takeaways from Day 5 of Saints’ training camp

The team practiced in pads for the first time on Monday.

The New Orleans Saints practiced in pads for the first time on their fifth day of training camp on Monday.

Photo by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Camp’s First Injury

Head Coach Kellen Moore has taken a sports science approach to this year’s training camp. The idea is that practices will be shorter but utilize the time better. While this approach has been a success at limiting injuries, the Saints experienced their first injury of training camp with veteran safety and special teams ace J.T. Gray. He is dealing with a lower-body injury.

QB1 Battle

Tyler Shough

Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough was given first-team duties on the first day with pads. Shough has been reactive when he feels pressure and often makes throws off his back foot. While the 2025 second-round pick has yet to force a turnover, his lack of decisiveness and antsy reactions in the pocket are a clear weakness.

Shough, of course flashed at times. He completed a nice ball to veteran wide receiver Brandin Cooks towards the sideline and showed his ability to make plays with his legs.

Spencer Rattler

Second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler worked with the second team on Monday. Rattler continues to be the most poised and effective passer, having another good showing. While offense was spotty for each signal caller during the first day with pads, Rattler had made throw after throw.

Jake Haener

Third-year quarterback Jake Haener had an up-and-down practice on Monday. While he made a great play by stepping up in the pocket and delivering a touchdown pass to wide receiver Bub Means, he made a few throws that would be knocked away by defenders.

Haener has performed better in the quarterback battle than most initially expected, but the former 2023 fifth-round pick has a lot more to prove before he can win the job.

OL vs. DL

The defensive line has been dominating during training camp. Carl Granderson and Chase Young practically live in the backfield, and other names such as Bryan Bresee and Chris Rumph II continue to make plays. While this trend continued on Monday with the defensive line continuing to be disruptive, we started to see more promising showings from the offensive line.

During 1v1 drills, rookie Kelvin Banks Jr. pancaked Rumph II, and Trevor Penning would win more reps than he would lose. The offensive line vs the defensive line battle will continue to be one to watch, but I think we’ll get a better answer once the preseason starts.

Special Teams Battle

Blake Grupe has a clear hold over the kicking competition, making 9/10 of his attempts, with his lone miss being in heavy rain from 49 yards out. The Saints brought back second-year kicker Charlie Smyth for competition with Grupe, but the Irish kicker has failed to make the battle close, making just 5/10 of his attempts.

Grupe was called upon on Monday to kick and continued to dominate the competition. The third-year kicker went 5/5, including a 51-yard make. Grupe’s perfect kicking day brings his training camp total to 14/15.

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