Due to the severe heat forecasted for the rest of the week and weekend, the New Orleans Saints have altered the open practices for training camp at the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Airline Drive.
To help protect the health and safety of fans, players, coaches and staff members, the Saints have opted to reduce the outdoor portion of camp practices by a full hour. The Saints will now take the outdoor fields for team drills starting at 10 a.m.
The earlier portion of practice which includes stretching, individual drills and other team drills will take place in the Saints indoor facility beginning at the regularly scheduled times. Those inside sessions will still be open to members of the media.
“The safety of our fans, team, staff and all those who work to make open practices possible are our first priority,” Saints Team President Dennis Lauscha said in a statement. “Based on the Heat Warnings facing our community we have altered the practice schedule to allow our fans to show their support for the team while also reducing their exposure to the significant heat being forecasted over the coming days. Their attendance is a big boost for our players and coaches working hard on the field and we encourage all fans whose health will allow and have a ticket to attend.”
The revised schedule will now see gates open to the public at 9:15 a.m. with the team taking the field at approximately 10:00 a.m. In addition, the private club and suite holder practice scheduled for today will be rescheduled to next Wednesday, August 9.
The team also announced that misters and fans have been installed in the bleachers to help reduce temperatures and shuttles are available for fans who do not wish to walk from the parking lot — which is located behind the Shrine on Airline.
The Saints encourage fans who are susceptible to heat related issues to please put their safety first and consider not attending the open practices.