Saints to Consider Starting Jameis Winston at QB Over Andy Dalton, Dennis Allen Says
The New Orleans Saints fell to last place in the NFC South with Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the team could be in for a major change.
Per ESPN's Katherine Terrell, Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Monday that he is consdering reinserting Jameis Winston as the starting quarterback over Andy Dalton for this week's game against the Los Angeles Rams, though a decision has not yet been made.
"I think we've gotta look at everything," Allen said. "Yeah, I think we've gotta look at everything. And that will be a process we go through today and tomorrow as we get ready for the Rams."
After Winston was sidelined with back and foot injuries, Dalton has started the past seven games for the Saints (3-7). However, Allen said Dalton's role as the starter was contingent upon the offense continuing to perform well with him under center. New Orleans has totaled just 23 points combined in its last two games after scoring over 20 points in five consecutive outings.
Allen noted that a decision for this week's starter will also come down to Winston's health, adding that he is pushing to play despite the fact that he might not fully recover this year.
"I feel like I think we probably have to visit with him a little bit in terms of that or visit with the medical staff in terms of that," Allen said. "And I think Jameis said this the other day, I don't know that he's ever gonna be 100 percent healthy this season. But he's in here every day, he's in here every morning working with the trainers, getting himself ready. And I feel like he's closer to being there."
The Saints are also reeling from injuries to their offensive line, which will play into the decision for the starting quarterback. New Orleans placed starting center Erik McCoy on injured reserve this weekend. Starting left tackle James Hurst exited early against the Steelers with a concussion, and starting right guard Andrus Peat missed the game entirely.
"I think everything goes into the decision," Allen said. "I don't think any decisions are made in a vacuum. But we've gotta try to do what we feel like gives our team the best chance to win. So that's ultimately what the decision will come down to."
Including Sunday's matchup against the Rams, the Saints have three games left before their bye in Week 14. The NFC South is not out of reach, as the first-place Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just 5-5.
New Orleans will need to go with its best option to keep pace in the division, and that might be Winston, who showed his potential last year with a 14-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
