“Major Sickness” Is Sweeping Through NFL Team’s Locker Room Before Sunday’s Game — “This Could Get Really Bad”

October 11, 2026, 12:17pm EST 1K+ • By Lou Flavius

A reporter flags a subplot before kickoff in New Orleans.

Reporter Nick Underhill raised a red flag regarding the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, ahead of their game against Minnesota.

Click for sound 0:00 / 0:00 The 1-3 Saints host the 4-0 Vikings at noon CT on Fox. New Orleans earned its lone win when Tyler Shough rallied the team in Baltimore.

According to Underhill’s post on X, there’s an illness running through the team’s locker room.

“Subplot for today: There’s a major sickness running through the locker room. See how it impacts things,” he wrote.

His post does not name players or the illness. It arrives after a rough Monday night, too. The Falcons beat New Orleans 45-24 and ran for five touchdowns. Bijan Robinson rushed for 145 yards and two scores, while Brian Robinson added three touchdowns.

Three Saints Defensive Linemen Landed On Reports With Illness Notes Saints helmet (Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images) The Saints’ official Friday injury report lists defensive tackle Christen Miller with an illness. He was questionable and did not practice.

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RotoWire reported on Saturday that Nathan Shepherd was also listed as questionable due to an illness. On Sunday, Saints Wire added that Vernon Broughton became a late addition to the injury report because of illness.

Shepherd and Broughton both appear on the Saints’ inactives list for Sunday. The list gives no reason for any inactive. Miller does not appear on it.

Linebacker Kaden Elliss, edge rusher Anfernee Jennings and guard Jeremiah Wright also sit on that list. The Friday report ruled out all three with injuries. Running back Alvin Kamara, who was questionable with a back injury, does not appear on it.

Those reports do not say whether the cases of illness are connected. Still, the timing stands out. Two missing defensive linemen leave New Orleans thinner up front after it allowed five rushing touchdowns on Monday. Minnesota arrives unbeaten and will test that depth.

From a wiped-out touchdown in Detroit to Monday’s blowout, the Saints have already dealt with some drama. Sunday’s game will show whether Underhill’s subplot adds another problem.