The Arizona Cardinals-New Orleans Saints preseason game set for Saturday, the third and final game of the NFL preseason for both clubs, has been canceled due to Hurricane Ida heading towards New Orleans. The game was initially set for 7 p.m. local (Central) Saturday, then was moved up to noon after the hurricane’s estimated first impacts were moved up to Saturday night from Sunday. Here’s the team’s announcement of the cancellation:
UPDATE: due to the impending impact of Hurricane Ida, the Saints-Cardinals game has been canceled https://t.co/q5RTCdQCuV
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) August 27, 2021
Here’s the team’s full statement:
At the request of Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, the NFL and the New Orleans Saints announced Friday, Aug. 27 that due to the impending impact of Hurricane Ida on the Gulf Coast region that the team’s preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals has been canceled. The game, which was originally scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug 28 was moved to noon at the Caesars Superdome. Due to the intensification of the hurricane throughout the day and after the most recent tropical update, the team’s leadership has made the decision in the best interests of all personnel that may have been directly and indirectly affected by the storm.
The announcement comes after constant communications with City of New Orleans officials, the National Weather Service, Homeland Security, Gov. Edwards and leading state officials and the National Football League. The team encourages all residents of the region to take precautionary measures to remain safe throughout the impending hurricane. The Saints will be in communication with season ticket account holders regarding applicable refunds and/or credits to their season ticket accounts.
Update: Amie Just and Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com report that the team is evacuating to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and has plans worked out to practice at AT&T Stadium (home to the Dallas Cowboys) if a prolonged evacuation is necessary:
The team plans to leave Saturday afternoon ahead of the storm, which is projected to make landfall as a Category 4 hurricane along the Louisiana coast Sunday afternoon.
If Ida forces the club to stay for an extended period of time, plans are in place for the Saints to practice at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, Texas.
The Saints’ original practice plan called for workouts Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The team’s tentative plan is to stay in the area until Wednesday.
The NFL final roster cuts deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 31, and the Saints’ next game (and first of the regular season) is scheduled to be at home Sunday, Sept. 12.
[NOLA.com, Saints.com; Superdome photo from Stephen Lew/USA Today Sports]
