New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Michael Thomas were absent from practice on Wednesday in London.

Andy Dalton took first-team reps and versatile jack-of-all-trades Taysom Hill also took snaps at quarterback in place of Winston, who is nursing both back and ankle injuries. Winston injured his back in New Orleans' 27-26 win over the Atlanta Falcons in the season opener on Sept. 11 before tweaking his ankle last week in practice.

Head coach Dennis Allen said he expects Winston to practice Thursday.

Winston, 28, has completed 73 of 115 passes for 858 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions in three games this season for the Saints (1-2), who "host" the Minnesota Vikings (2-1) on Sunday.

Dalton, 34, has yet to throw a pass this season. He completed 149 of 236 attempts for 1,515 yards with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions in eight games last season for the Chicago Bears.

Hill, 32, was ruled inactive for New Orleans' 22-14 loss to the host Carolina Panthers last Sunday. He had been nursing an injury to his ribs.

He has yet to throw a pass in two games this season. He has seven rushes for 95 yards and a touchdown and one catch for two yards while playing as a tight end.

Hill threw for a career-high 979 yards to go along with four touchdowns and five interceptions in 2021.

Thomas, 29, is nursing a toe injury sustained in Sunday's loss to the Panthers. The three-time Pro Bowl selection had 16 catches for 171 yards and a team-leading three receiving touchdowns this season.

--Field Level Media