Report: Saints will be without Taysom Hill, Latavius Murray vs Buccaneers

The Saints’ top x-factor is without question quarterback/running back/tight end hybrid Taysom Hill. Hill, who was limited in practice all week, is likely out for the Divisional Round game against the Buccaneers according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Hill suffered a knee injury at signs point to him not being well enough to go Sunday night. In addition to that, the Saints’ second running back may miss the game too. Latavius Murray has been battling a quad injury and is also unlikely to go.

Against the Bucs, Hill was 3-for-3 passing with 86 yards, had ten carries for 67 yards, and had two receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown in the two regular season match-ups. Murray carried the ball 25 times for 87 yards as well as having two receptions for three yards in the two previous games.

If this report holds true, this can be big for Tampa Bay. The team has struggled against scrambling quarterbacks and Hill would have clearly presented some challenges for the Bucs as he has done consistently. Last week against Washington, quarterback Taylor Heinicke scrambled for 46 yards on six carries, including a touchdown from 13 yards out.

Not having to worry about Murray may also give the Bucs a sigh of relief and focus all their efforts — or at least the majority of them — on Alvin Kamara.

The Bucs and Saints kick things off at 6:40 PM ET.