As the New Orleans Saints get ready to take on the Atlanta Falcons in a couple of days, the team is taking extra precautions with some of their essential players.

Two of the bigger name players to sit out of the Saints’ Tuesday practice were running back Darren Sproles, and guard Jahri Evans, who are dealing with knee/ankle, and ankle injuries respectively.

According to ESPN, there are many other Saints who weren’t very active in Tuesday’s practice as well.

Ten other players were limited in practice: tight ends Jimmy Graham(elbow/foot) and Benjamin Watson (concussion); guard Ben Grubbs(neck); defensive linemen Cameron Jordan (ankle), Akiem Hicks(back) and Tyrunn Walker (knee); linebacker Curtis Lofton(hamstring/ankle); safety Kenny Vaccaro (concussion); and cornerbacks Chris Carr (hip/back/hamstring) and Rod Sweeting (hip).

It will be difficult to predict how these injuries will play out before Thursday, which goes for most injuries every week. I don’t expect things to be official for those listed until just before game time.

I expect to see Sproles back in action on Thursday, even if it’s just a limited role.