| Hello, hello! This is Terrin Waack checking in for the first time with the Saints Insider newsletter. If you don't know who I am, you'll learn over time. For now, I'll just introduce myself as the new Saints beat writer for The Times-Picayune and carry on. It's Saturday, the first day of October. Wild. I am unfortunately not in London with the rest of my crew. But of course, I've been following along with the international storylines and creating coverage of my own from stateside. Friday's biggest piece of news came after practice, as coach Dennis Allen announced wide receiver Michael Thomas has been ruled out and quarterback Jameis Winston is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Columnist Jeff Duncan dives into the details there, along with addressing who else is questionable. Here's the fallout from that: All signs pointing toward Andy Dalton being Saints starting quarterback this weekend, writes beat reporter Luke Johnson.Andy Dalton's first start gives Jameis Winston and Saints offense chance to heal, writes columnist Rod Walker. And in others news... Vikings running back Dalvin Cook will play Sunday, and he has had success against the Saints before. Saints players offered support to injured Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who left the Thursday night game on a stretcher and was transported to a nearby hospital. That about sums it up for this Saints Insider edition. Be sure to check out the Saints content page on NOLA.com for all the latest and greatest (and whatever I inevitably forgot to share). Don't forget to set your alarm for 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Or, if you're like me, set alarms - plural - for 8 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 8:20 a.m. and then finally 8:30 a.m. Not a morning person over here. This kickoff is going to be brutal. Thanks, all. Waack out. | 