Pain, no gain, for Saints

Dec 8, 2017 - 6:34 AM ATLANTA -- The New Orleans Saints have a nine-day break before hosting the New York Jets on Dec. 17, and the NFC South leaders will need all that time and maybe more.

New Orleans lost player after player in Thursday night's 20-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.

The Saints also found themselves in controversy after the game when coach Sean Payton was accused of giving the choke sign to Falcons running back Devonta Freeman in the fourth quarter.

"That man don't know nothing about choking," Freeman said. "He ain't from where I'm from. He don't know about choking."

Asked if he made a gesture, Payton said: "I don't remember that."

Alvin Kamara, the Saints' standout rookie running back, suffered a concussion on the game's opening series and things just got worse from there for New Orleans.

The casualty list included three defensive starters. Linebacker A.J. Klein (groin), defensive end Trey Hendrickson (ankle) and strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (groin) were all lost in the first half.

Without the three starters, the Saints defense wore down in the second half against the Falcons, who scored 10 points in the fourth quarter.

The offensive line was also a trouble spot for the Saints. With starting left guard Andrus Peat (groin) sidelined coming into the game, the Saints were down to his second replacement when Senio Kelemete suffered a second-quarter concussion.

Josh LeRideus, a backup center, filled in and didn't line up correctly, drawing a penalty that wiped out a Saints field goal on the final play of the first half.

Wide receivers Michael Thomas and Ted Ginn Jr., running back Mark Ingram, tight end Josh Hill and defensive tackle David Onyemata also were shaken up. Corner back Marshon Lattimore needed oxygen on the sideline several times.

Kamara was hurt when he caught a pass for a 4-yard loss and his helmet collided with Falcons linebacker Deion Jones.

Kamara came into the game with 1,220 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns, rushing for 606 yards and 614 yards receiving. He had touchdowns in five straight games.