Last season Damian Swann showed some promise as a rookie fifth-round draft pick for the Saints, but concussions kept him off the field for most of the year. The third and final concussion he suffered late in the season was particularly ugly, and ended his season.
Now Swann is back at organized team activities and has been medically cleared to fully participate, but Saints coach Sean Payton is making a point of easing him into things.
“It would be much like we would treat any other injured player,” Payton said, via Katherine Terrell of NOLA.com. “He’s progressed well, he’s doing well, he’s got his weight back up a little bit. He took a period of time where he was back at Georgia taking spring classes on his degree. Yeah, to answer your question, we would treat him much like a player who’s out here with an injury.”
Payton said the Saints are keeping a close eye on Swann.
“It would be more just being aware of the periods he’s in,” Payton said. “The good thing about what we’re doing right now is there’s limited or no contact. It’s one of the challenges of having these practices but I think that allows him a little more opportunity right now.”
The Saints and Swann would both be wise to continue being cautious. A rookie season with three concussions is a serious concern.
