{
  "id": 7916480,
  "title": "Report: Saints snapper Zach Wood to miss ‘significant’ time with injury",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/report-saints-snapper-zach-wood-to-miss-significant-time-with-injury",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T01:16:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/report-saints-snapper-zach-wood-011622703.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New Orleans Saints long snapper Zach Wood is set to miss an extended period of time due to an injury, according to ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. Wood suffered a serious calf strain that could keep him away from the game for over a month. The injury was not included on Wednesday's injury report, but he was evaluated and diagnosed following practice. Wood, a key member of the Saints for a decade, has been a reliable performer, having never missed a game in his 150 consecutive regular season appearances. However, this time, his absence will be significant, as he is expected to be sidelined for a duration of four to six weeks, if not longer. The fate of Wood's return, whether through injured reserve or a season-ending injury, remains uncertain. Currently, the Saints do not have a long snapper available on their practice squad. Defensive tackle John Ridgeway III temporarily filled in for Wood during practice time after he missed some sessions to attend Drew Brees’ induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.",
  "summary": "Add long snapper Zach Wood to the list of injured New Orleans Saints players. He could miss more than a month with a ‘significant’ calf strain.",
  "key_points": [
    "Zach Wood, Saints' long snapper, to miss significant time due to calf strain",
    "Injury not listed on Wednesday's injury report, diagnosed post-practice",
    "Expected sidelined 4-6 weeks, possibly season-ending, no long snapper on practice squad"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Saints' lengthy injury absence for long snapper Zach Wood, a reliable 10-year veteran, creates an urgent need at his position with no ready replacement on the practice squad.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}