The injury-riddled Saints will be without another key player for at least four months, with center Erik McCoy headed to injured reserve.
McCoy, who was signed to a contract extension prior to the season, suffered a calf injury in the third quarter of a loss to the Baltimore Ravens. It's the second consecutive season he'll miss multiple games with a calf issue.
Cesar Ruiz took over midgame, as he did when McCoy went down in the season-opener against the Packers a year ago.
The Saints can bring back as many as eight players from injured reserve throughout the season. Four of these return designations have been used already (DT Malcolm Roach; CB Alontae Taylor; DB P.J. Williams; LT Trevor Penning).
The Saints signed veteran Josh Andrews from the practice squad to the active roster. He and Ruiz are the only two players on the roster who have taken snaps at center. When asked earlier in the week Pete Carmichael would not confirm the plan at center. It's possible Ruiz starts at the position and a backup plays at guard, or Andrews could start at center to allow Ruiz to remain at the guard position.
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The Saints will also be without four other important players for the game:
- RB Mark Ingram (knee)
- CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen)
- G Andrus Peat (tricep)
- LB Pete Werner
The Saints have also elevated RB Jordan Howard and CB Bryce Thompson from the practice squad for the game.
The Saints (3-6) face off with the Steelers (2-6) at noon on Sunday.
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