Saints Activate Rookie Corner Ahead of TNF

The New Orleans Saints could force a couple of new faces into the spotlight when they face the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday Night Football. The team announced it has activated rookie cornerback Alontae Taylor and elevated veteran defensive back Chris Harris Jr. from the practice squad ahead of tonight's matchup.

#Saints have activated CB Alontae Taylor from IR, elevated practice squad CB Chris Harris Jr. & WR Kevin White to the active roster, and terminated the contact of WR Keith Kirkwood.#Saints | @Shift4 https://t.co/JrvYsnN0ax

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) October 20, 2022

Taylor missed the previous four weeks of the season due to a knee injury suffered in practice following the team's Week 2 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He played sparingly in the first two weeks of the season, logging 66 total snaps on defense and special teams. He broke up the lone pass in his direction.

Harris Jr. joined the Saints in Week 5 and appeared on only a handful of plays in a shootout against the Seattle Seahawks, but he earned a start in Week 6 against the Cincinnati Bengals and played a meaningful role, gobbling up 56 snaps and notching eight tackles.

The two players are likely being pushed into playing time due to the absence of four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore. The 26-year-old cornerback is set to miss his second straight game due to an abdomen injury.

Taylor joined the Saints as their 49th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. The 23-year-old totalled four interceptions and 15 passes defended across 44 appearances with the Tennessee Volunteers before putting together an impressive performance at the 2022 NFL Draft Combine. He'll face a stiff test this week should the Cardinals line up returning All-Pro Deandre Hopkins across from him.

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