The New Orleans Saints' offensive line group will look a lot different when they step on the field against the Carolina Panthers.
That's because starting center Erik McCoy is expected to miss time with a biceps injury. Unlike in the past, like last year, when the Saints turned to McCoy's direct backup to take over, the 2026 Saints will go a different route, turning to Cesar Ruiz and shuffling both center and right guard. Rookie Jeremiah Wright will take over in Ruiz's spot and make his second career start. It was a decision that surprised WWL Radio's Deuce McAllister.
"I am kind of surprised by that," McAllister said, "because now you have disruption at two positions."
Hear more from Deuce McAllister on SportsTalk in the player above.
In a similar situation a season ago, the Saints opted to turn to Luke Fortner to start the final 10 games. Head coach Kellen Moore said that was more to do with having an established, veteran backup than anything else. Fortner is, fittingly, the starting center for the Panthers team that will visit the Caesars Superdome this weekend.
Ruiz came into the NFL out of Michigan as a center before being converted to guard at the NFL level prior to his rookie season. He's gotten four starts in relief at center, but he hasn't done so since the 2021 season. He and Wright will step into the fire at a difficult moment, with something of a murderer's row of elite defensive tackles on tap for the next three weeks.
"It's [Derrick] Brown, All Pro; [Jeffery] Simmons, All Pro; Dexter Lawrence, All Pro," Deuce said. "Hello, rookie."
Brown will be the first test, the clear star along a Panthers defensive front that has been susceptible on the ground, ranking 28th in the NFL with an average of 133.4 rush yards allowed per game. They also tied for last in the NFL with just 12 sacks. Brown has 15 tackles, but is yet to record a sack this season.
"He’ll line up primarily over Jeremiah and I mean, all three of them really will. They’ll move," Deuce continues. "They’re versatile enough, but we will worry about Derrick Brown kind of this week and see what havoc he tries to cause, but he’s the one guy on that defensive line where you need to know where he’s at at all times. He will hunt matchups."
How the Saints handle that challenge will play a major factor in whether the Saints can walk out of the Dome on Sunday in sole possession of the NFC South lead. The Saints have had success against the Panthers in recent years, including a sweep of Carolina last year. That first win doubled as the first victory as a start for QB Tyler Shough.
On the flipside, the Saints defense has terrorized Bryce Young. The Panthers starter has a 1-5 record against the Saints and he's 0-3 in the Superdome. In those games he has completed just 55.2% of his passes (96-174) for 909 yards and 3 touchdowns against 4 interceptions. He's been sacked 16 times and hasn't thrown for more than 171 yards in any of them. Young has seen his passing totals skyrocket this season, though, currently ranking 8th in the NFL with 2,197 passing yards and 16 touchdowns against 6 interceptions.
“It just means you can beat them," Deuce said. "Now, can you go out there and execute and show you can truly beat them. You’ve had their number for a couple of years, particularly when you look at Bryce Young.”
The Saints (3-5) host the Panthers (3-5) for a noon kickoff inside the Caesars Superdome on Sunday. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
