Week 1 Packers-Saints game could be moved due to Hurricane Ida

The roads are empty around downtown and the Superdome as the effects of Hurricane Ida begin to be felt in New Orleans on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Michael DeMocker / For USA TODAY Network via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Week 1 Packers-Saints game could be moved to AT&T Stadium due to Hurricane Ida

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/30/21

The New Orleans Saints were unable to host the Arizona Cardinals for Saturday's scheduled preseason finale because of Hurricane Ida.

It appears the lingering impacts of the storm could prevent the Saints from opening the regular season at home.

According to Zach Kruse of Yahoo Sports, Saints coach Sean Payton told reporters Monday it's not yet known if his team will welcome the Green Bay Packers to the Caesars Superdome for Week 1 on Sept. 12.

"We haven’t heard anything relative to the opener (w/Green Bay). Obviously, we’ll have a Plan B," Payton explained. "A lot of things from a priority standpoint are more important for our city. We fully anticipate starting the season with Green Bay and the question is where will it be at."

The Saints are currently practicing in Dallas and could "host" the Packers at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas begins the campaign at the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 9:

"I honestly think in the next three days that we'll know what our next step is. We’re pretty sure it’s not going to be returning to Metairie anytime soon to start practices. I think that's unrealistic." -- Sean Payton
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 30, 2021

The Superdome appears to have survived #HurricaneIda without any major structural damage, said Doug Thornton, the VP of stadiums for ASM Global. Thornton said Superdome staff conducted a walk-through damage assessment this morning & initially found only one "little window leak."
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) August 30, 2021

As things stand today, fans must show proof of either a COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative coronavirus test to attend all games at the Caesars Superdome. It's assumed there would be no such requirements for a Saints home game played at AT&T Stadium or any other venue outside of New Orleans or Louisiana.

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