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One snap.

That's all the rest Marshon Lattimore had through the first eight games of the season.

The New Orleans Saints starting cornerback, the one who usually travels with the opposing team's premier receiver, has helped shut down Pro Bowl wideouts like Houston's DeAndre Hopkins, Dallas' Amari Cooper, Tampa Bay's Mike Evans and Atlanta's Julio Jones.

Even then, only 55.9% of passes thrown to receivers he's covering have resulted in a catch.

"Everybody feeds off of him," fellow cornerback P.J. Williams said. "Especially with him going against some of the top receivers in the league. That definitely fuels us when he makes plays."

But New Orleans might have to play without Lattimore this weekend.

Lattimore has missed the first two practices of the week with a hamstring injury he suffered against Atlanta. He's week to week with the ailment, the NFL Network reported earlier this week.

The injury happened in the second quarter, when he was covering Jones. The pass didn't end up going Jones' way, but Lattimore pulled up midway through following Jones' route and went straight to the sideline. Despite being "questionable" to return, Lattimore didn't return to the game and Williams moved over to replace Lattimore.

At halftime, Lattimore talked to the defensive backs.

"He wanted to make sure we locked in and finished the game," Williams said. "He said he was gonna be our biggest cheerleader for the rest of the game."

Williams and the other starting cornerback, Eli Apple, both said they're up to the challenge of playing without Lattimore.

But this week is a big test, as the Saints face the No. 2 and No. 4 receivers in the league: Tampa Bay's Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Lattimore helped completely take Evans out of the first game, limiting the two-time Pro Bowler without a catch. Still, Evans still has the second-most yards receiving in the NFL with 924.

Godwin has hauled in 840 yards receiving this year, picking up the slack against the Saints last time with 125 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

"They're big, physical receivers," Apple said. "Godwin, he's been really emerging this year. And of course, Mike Evans, he's been doing it since he was in the league."

Williams added: "We're confident, man. We know our ability. When we do what we're supposed to do, we'll be able to challenge those guys."

Tampa Bay coach Bruce Arians noted just how tough it's been for defenses to wrangle the two of them.

"When you have two guys like that, it's hard to rotate to both of them if you’re going to double one." Arians said. "And then that if you put them together you’ve got four DBs on one side of the field. It’s pretty easy for a quarterback to see. Having both is a luxury.”

The Saints are deep at defensive back, though. And they've been tested.

Cornerback Patrick Robinson has gone through full practices this week after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury, and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson filled in for Williams when he was suspended for two games.

Apple said he felt like the defensive backs did a good job communicating effectively after Lattimore left the field.

But he added a caveat.

"It's tough to replace somebody like that," Apple said.

Lattimore hasn't missed a start since Week 14 of his rookie season, recording five interceptions, 30 passes defensed, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in that time.

But if the Saints do have to go without Lattimore, they are ready to rally for one of their leaders.

"We're always going to keep our same mentality out there," Apple said. "We're going to attack the offense, take away their playmakers and limit the explosive (plays)."