Next-man-up but don't count the man out

In the event that the Saints are without their best defensive player on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons Demario Davis, the team is prepared to keep fighting. But with a player like Davis, he’ll try everything in his power along with relying on a higher power to find a way on the field.

The 35-year-old linebacker has yet to miss a game due to injury and constantly invests in his body to ensure he stays on top. But he along with a lengthy list of Saints were listed on the injury report this week following the Week 3 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. A hamstring issue has caused the future Hall-of-Famer not to practice yet this week. Following Thursday’s practice, Davis mentioned to NewOrleans.Football that everything was going smoothly while attached to a portable muscle stimulator machine. If Davis cannot go Sunday, Pete Werner will take over Davis’ role as defensive play caller which will propel offseason addition Willie Gay on the field in a bigger role.

“I know I’m ready,” Gay said “Obviously it’s unfortunate we don't have ‘cap’ (Demario Davis) but next man up mentality is how this league works. Pete (Pete Werner) slides over to the Mike position and I’ll step in for Pete, so we roll from there and try to keep it rolling like always.”

Second-year linebacker Anfernee Orji says that even though Davis hasn’t practiced his he is still a dominant voice in the linebacker room.

“He’s just been encouraging all the young guys and older guys to be ready,” Orji said. “He’s a 13-year veteran so it's like having another coach, it’s been good.”

Orji also feels that if Daivs can’t suit up against the Falcons, Gay’s style fits in with the defensive identity and his previous championship experience will serve the team well.

“He’s a winner,” Orji said. “So to have a winner like that in our group with the swag and the juice it’s just amazing…The dude is just a freak athlete, so let him do what he does.”

Before Week 3, Gay had seen limited snaps so far this season but with facing one of the league's top rushers in Saquon Barkley Gay saw his snaps increase and finished the game with four solo tackles and 1 fumble recovery. This Sunday Gay and the Saints defense again have to go against a top back in Bijan Robinson.

“He’s a talented back, we played one last week,” Gay said. “He can make you miss so you have to make sure you’re on your P’s and Q’s for sure. Just doing your assignment, doing your one-eleven (focus on an individual assignment), doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well.”

Davis’ role on the team goes without saying but a key part of his leadership aura is his ability of availability. So far this season Davis has 18 tackles and one sack, continuing to defy “father time.” Fellow defensive leader Cam Jordan recognizes that the “next-man-up” mentality applies to everyone in the NFL but is having a hard time not seeing Davis on the field.

“It’s always the potential to not have somebody, this is the NFL,” Jordan said. “It’s always been the next man up mentality, It’s rare to not have Demario on the field. I still wouldn’t count him out until Sunday’s whistle blows and he’s not there. I know Double-D (Demario Daivs) is doing everything in hs ability to get back on the field.”

As game day approaches we will have to just wait and see if Davis can suit up and help lead the defense against the division-rival Falcons but in the event that he can't the Saints linebacker depth can mitigate the loss of such a key piece.