Saints to place Emmanuel Sanders on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Saints’ wide receiver issues have continued into Week 7. They are placing Emmanuel Sanders on their reserve/COVID-19 list, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

This will sideline Sanders for New Orleans’ Week 7 game against Carolina. With Michael Thomas encountering a hamstring issue this week, the Saints may have to make do without their top two wideouts.

Players who land on the reserve/COVID-19 list must isolate for at least five days. This will put New Orleans in an unusual position. Coming into this season, Thomas had missed just one game since arriving in 2016. If he misses a fifth straight contest, the Saints’ receiving corps will be unusually shorthanded.

The Saints gave Sanders a two-year, $16MMdeal to fill their years-long need for a proven No. 2 wide receiver. Tre’Quan Smith would slide up to the No. 1 spot if Thomas cannot go Sunday.

Thomas practiced in a limited capacity Wednesday but did not participate Thursday. He missed Weeks 2-4 because of an ankle injury and was down in Week 5 because of a team-imposed suspension. Sanders helped fill Thomas’ role, despite a slow start. He has 18 receptions for 215 yards in the past two games.