| Happy Friday and welcome to the Saints Insider newsletter for Dec. 30, 2022. As we get to the end of 2022, I took a look back at the biggest sports stories in New Orleans over the past 12 months. The top story on the list is one that we never saw coming. Here’s my column on the 10 stories that had us all talking this year. As the Saints prepare for Sunday’s must win game against the Philadelphia Eagles, they must get ready for two quarterbacks this week. Jalen Hurts, the Eagle’s normal starter, returned to practice Thursday after missing Philadelphia’s game against Dallas. If Hurts isn’t 100 percent, the Saints may have to face backup Gardner Minshew. Beat reporter Terrin Waack gives you the info on what it’s been like getting ready for two different quarterbacks. If you watched the Saints’ game last week against the Cleveland Browns, you probably noticed Taysom Hill didn’t get his first carry until late in the second quarter. Why did it take so long? Well, here’s the explanation from offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael. Linebacker Demario Davis, despite being one of the NFL’s top linebackers over the past few seasons, had never been selected to a Pro Bowl before this season. How did that make him feel? Luke Johnson has the story on Demario’s gratefulness for his first Pro Bowl selection. The Saints’ playoff chances are slim. But as the players told Luke Johnson, they aren’t giving up on the season just yet. In injury news, Alvin Kamara missed his second straight day of practice. Here’s the rest of the injury report from Thursday’s practice. That’s all for today. Be sure to check out the NOLA.com Saints page to make sure you're caught up on all the latest news today as we get closer to Sunday’s game in Philly. Happy New Year. Until next time, Rod Walker | 
