The New Orleans Saints enter Week 9 with a 2-6 record. After winning the first two to start the year, the last one fell during an ugly six-game losing streak. They will try to right their ship during a road trip to face the 1-7 Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

It was starting to look like New Orleans was finally regaining its health. Quarterback Derek Carr returned this week after Chris Olave, Taysom Hill, two offensive linemen and Pete Werner returned last week. But other positions in the healthcare category have taken a significant step back.

Running backs Kendre Miller (hamstring) and Jamaal Williams outside. Wideout Bub Means (ankle) is also ruled out, while WR Cedrick Wilson (hip) and G Nick Saldiveri (knee) are likely game-time decisions.

Defensively, the Saints will be without cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore (hamstring) and Kool-Aid McKinstry (hamstring), with CB Rico Payton (back) likely to be a game-time decision.

On Saturday, the Saints announced the following personnel moves in preparation for Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

• Bub Averages, WR
• Kendre Miller, RB

We were hearing that Means would not be able to play for a while due to his ankle injury. He will now miss at least four weeks, joining WR Rashid Shaheed on injured reserve. Shaheed (knee) will miss the rest of the year. Undrafted rookie Mason Tipton, Equanimeous St. Along with Brown and newly signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling, expect Olave to get more reps at wide receiver.

Miller remained out of injury for three weeks, making two appearances, before returning to familiar territory. With him and Jamaal Williams leaving the team, the Saints will put more emphasis on Alvin Kamara and hopefully Taysom Hill will contribute more.

• Kyle Hergel, G

Boston College’s undrafted rookie could rejoin the practice squad as early as next week. His release could indicate senior G/C Shane Lemieux may be close to returning to action after missing the last four games.

Try Squad Upgrades

• Jordan Mims, RB
• Shemar Jean-Charles, CB
• Millard Bradford, S.
• Tre Herndon, CB
• Roderic Teamer, S

There are no surprises in these moves. Mims, Jean-Charles and Bradford were officially added to the active roster on Saturday. Herndon and Teamer were standard weekly highs.

Jordan Mims will be the official number two behind Kamara, but Hill will almost certainly take more shots. Mims has five rushes for 16 yards and two catches for 13 yards this season. He will also likely be used for kickoff returns, a role that Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams will fill after Shaheed’s injury.

Bradford and Teamer will definitely be used on special teams. They may also see some defensive action from safety. Will Harris remains injured and Johnathan Abram was released by the team earlier this week.

Another position that has been stripped to its bare bones is corner guard. Alontae Taylor will be the top cornerback, with Rico Payton likely starting elsewhere if he also plays. From now on, Jean-Charles and Herndon must take action against multiple receiver packs.