NFL
Ian Book to start for Saints after Taysom Hill tests positive for covid-19
After Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian both returned positive covid-19 tests, rookie quarterback Ian Book will start for the Saints against the Dolphins.
As positive covid-19 cases continue to rise in the NFL, the Saints have been left without quarterbacks and for their Week 16 meeting with the Dolphins, Sean Payton may have to call on a player with no previous NFL experience.
Book in line to start
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, it is expected that New Orleans will start with rookie QB Ian Book on Monday Night Football.
The reason why 23-year-old Book is in line to start for the Saints is because Taysom Hill has tested positive covid-19 and Trevor Siemian is already on the reserve list after contracting the virus ─ it is not known if either player has been vaccinated.
The former Notre Dame QB was a fourth-round pick in the 2021 Draft and still hasn't made his professional debut. During his four years with the Fighting Irish, Book racked up 8.948 yards, 72 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Book will be the fourth QB to be used by Payton this season. Jameis Winston was first choice at the start of the campaign, but his season was cut short by a cruciate ligament tear; Siemian was then named QB1 only to lose his place to Hill.
The absence of Siemian and Hill comes at the least opportune moment for the Saints. After beating the Buccaneers, they go into Monday's game 7-7 with a good chance of qualifying for the post-season playoffs.
Outbreak under control
While Hill and Siemian succumbed to the virus, the Saints appear to have the covid-19 outbreak well under control. At the moment they have just four players on the covid list, their two QBs and tight ends Juwan Johnson and Adam Trautman.