The Saints can become the first team NFC South history to sweep the entire division with a win Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
They’ll have to do so without their top rushers as Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray were both added to the reserve/COVID-19 list this week along with running back Dwayne Washington and fullback Michael Burton.
The ball carriers the Saints have available Sunday will have an advantage as they’ll run behind an offensive line that’s helped New Orleans rushers tally 2,109 yards on the ground this season.
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That’s the second most since Sean Payton became the franchise’s head coach in 2006, and seventh most in team history.
The total is even more impressive as the Saints have started six different lineups this season due to injuries and COVID-19.
“Yeah, I think we have really good depth, obviously, at the offensive line position and we have guys that can step in and not only just play, but play at a high level,” Saints tackle Ryan Ramczyk said. “We hold our guys accountable to be able to go in and step in and play like that. So I think we have a great thing going here on the offensive line, and we all mesh together really well, play together really well. It's kind of a kind of special thing."
Along with Ramczyk, Terron Armstead, Erik McCoy, Andrus Peat, Nick Easton, Cesar Ruiz and James Hurst have all started on the offensive line for the Saints this season.
“I think our depth is incredible, honestly,” Armstead said. “Just looking at the guys that we have sitting, they can all start and unfortunately at times with injuries or COVID or whatever those guys had to come in and they've been great haven't missed a beat and it's not by accident. These guys put the work in, put the time in.”
Saints offense line coach Dan Roushar credited the Saints offensive linemen’s weekly preparation for their ability to perform well despite using so many different lineups.
“I think the one thing that each of them has done is they've worked very hard at not only what they do at their particular position, but they pay attention to all the things that are going on at all of the different positions and know that they can be ready at any moment,” He said. “I think it's a credit to the room.”