We’ve seen quite a few NFL teams have to deal with their starting quarterback, as well as their backup quarterback, potentially missing games after entering the COVID health and safety protocols. The Cleveland Browns were forced to start Nick Mullens after Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum were unable to play. Meanwhile, Garrett Gilbert started for WFT on Tuesday in lieu of Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen.
It looks like the New Orleans Saints might be in similar shoes with the news that Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian have both been placed on the COVID-19 list. The Saints are scheduled to play the Miami Dolphins on Monday night.
The #Saints are placing QBs Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian on the Reserve/COVID-19 list, per @nick_underhill. Rookie Ian Book could be in line to start on Monday night vs. the Dolphins.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 23, 2021
The plan, according to Ian Rapoport, is for the Saints to start rookie Ian Book, his first in the NFL.
The #Saints are starting Ian Book this weekend, per me and @TomPelissero. With Trevor Siemian out, Taysom Hill is going on the COVID-19 reserve list.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2021
Book would be the fourth starting quarterback of the season for the Saints, who started the year with Jameis Winston before he went down with a season-ending injury.
It’s a critical game for New Orleans so the pressure is on for Book to step up and prove himself. At 7-7, the Saints are locked in a battle for the last Wild Card spot in the NFC playoffs. They’ve got a lot of competition at the moment so a win here is critical.
The 23-year-old threw for 8,948 yards and 72 touchdowns at Notre Dame, leaving as the school’s all-time winningest quarterback. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2021 NFL draft by New Orleans.
NFL folks on social media were quick to have reactions to the news about the Saints’ QB situation.
oh boy https://t.co/WkoUl1w6za
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) December 23, 2021
Eagles hold tiebreaker over the Saints. Making playoffs could come down to who avoids Covid the most and stays healthy https://t.co/zTPixsDmCk
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) December 23, 2021
And just like that, the Dolphins are probably 8-7 https://t.co/ev2S18quf4
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) December 23, 2021
🚨🚨🚨 EMERGENCY BOOK CLUB MEETING THIS COMING MONDAY 🚨🚨🚨 https://t.co/6TjB30HspZ
— tricerapops (@tricerapops) December 23, 2021
The Dolphins are in a similar situation to the Saints in terms of the playoff picture, so whoever wins this one will have a huge leg up while the loser will be left scrambling. Hopefully, for the Saints, Ian Book is ready for primetime.