Marshon Lattimore returns to practice ahead of Week 1 kickoff game

The New Orleans Saints are 10 days away from their regular season opener versus the Carolina Panthers and one step closer to a complete secondary.

Marshon Lattimore, the Saints’ star cornerback, return to practice for the first time since suffering a hip flexor injury early in Saints training camp. It’s been a bit of an odd timeline this offseason for Lattimore in relation to his health and relationship with the team.

There was apparent tension between Lattimore and Dennis Allen that was addressed when the cornerback returned for mandatory minicamp. Allen previously said that he wasn’t losing sleep over Lattimore’s status, but he would have been listed as a limited participant on Wednesday if the team had to issue a regular injury report.

It’s been relatively quiet since Lattimore’s injury and has led to some speculating those tensions were either downplayed earlier in the summer or flared back up. Regardless, the silence allowed the narrative of Lattimore’s discontent to further. We saw him work with trainers once, but not much was said about his progress.

Lattimore returned as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. It may be limited, but it’s a good sign of his availability for Week 1. His running mate, Paulson Adebo, just returned from injury as well. Having both of their cornerbacks was necessary going into the season.

If Lattimore returns in time for kickoff, the Saints’ most formidable position group will be at full strength for the season opener.