The biggest headline for the Saints on Friday might be that coach Sean Payton said Drew Brees is expected to start at quarterback on Sunday against the Cowboys, but there are no shortage of positive developments on the health front for New Orleans.
Cornerback Keenan Lewis and safety Jairus Byrd are both probable to play for the first time in the 2015 season. Lewis had hip surgery before the start of the regular season, leaving the Saints without a starting corner. Byrd hasn’t played a game since Week Four of last season because of knee problems.
Byrd likely has some rust to knock off, but having both players in the lineup would increase the depth in the secondary at the very least. Linebacker Dannel Ellerbe is also probable to play for the first time since the trade that brought him to New Orleans in the offseason, so there’s a lot of reinforcements coming for a defense that’s allowed 397 yards a game at this point.
All’s not perfect for the Saints. Guard Jahri Evans has been ruled out with a knee injury for the second straight week.