The Saints are 4-4 after wins in three of their last four games and they hope to continue playing well enough over the second half to get a playoff spot for the first time since 2013.
That effort may be complicated by the loss of safety Kenny Vaccaro. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Vaccaro is facing a four-game suspension related to the use of Adderall in violation of the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.
Rapoport adds that Vaccaro is waiting for final word on the suspension and he remains eligible to play until it comes down, so he should be in the lineup against the Broncos this weekend.
The Saints pass defense hasn’t been good this season -- they’re 32nd in passing yards allowed -- and losing Vaccaro won’t do much to help them. They have Roman Harper behind him at strong safety and added Shiloh Keo as a free agent this week, perhaps with an eye on the need to replace Vaccaro down the road.