During their 26-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, the New Orleans Saints sorely missed starting cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Ken Crawley. The likely Defensive Rookie of the Year and second-year undrafted stalwart were out with ankle and abdomen injuries, respectively. As a result, a Saints defense that has been dominant since Week 3 was picked apart by Rams quarterback Jared Goff, snapping their eight-game winning streak.

Luckily for New Orleans, it doesn't appear that Lattimore or Crawley will have extended absences.

As reported by Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk, both players returned to Saints practice on Wednesday on a limited basis. Their status for this weekend's pivotal matchup with the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers is yet to be determined, but given that they didn't practice at all last week, it appears that they're on the right track.

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With a healthy secondary in Week 3, the Saints' defense dominated the Panthers in Charlotte, as New Orleans took home a 34-13 victory. Carolina quarterback Cam Newton was held to under 200 passing yards, throwing no touchdowns and three interceptions.

Sole possession of first place in the division is at stake on Sunday when the teams face off once again. Crawley and Lattimore returning for New Orleans would be a huge boost in stopping a Panthers team that has won three games in a row.

The injury news was less positive for the Saints' offense. Starting left tackle Terron Armstead missed today's practice after enduring shoulder and thing injuries against Los Angeles.