The New Orleans Saints will have serious questions on the right side of their offensive line when the Panthers visit in Week 10.
The Saints have ruled out four players, including center Erik McCoy (biceps) and RT Taliese Fuaga (knee). Cesar Ruiz will shift to center, meaning rookie Jeremiah Wright will slot in at right guard for his second career start. Asim Richards would be the likely candidate to start at right tackle after pulling five starts at left tackle.
Fuaga's injury occurred during Thursday's practice and has been described as a knee sprain. Head coach Kellen Moore said it is not expected to be a long-term issue and ruled out the need for a stint on injured reserve.
“We’ll just adapt, adjust," Moore said. "Our guys are ready to go. … We’ve got [an OL] group that’s played some snaps in various ways throughout this year, so that group will be ready to go."
The Saints have ruled out RB CJ Donaldson for a second consecutive game with a shoulder issue. Star free agent acquisition Travis Etienne was upgraded to a full participant on Friday and is listed as questionable as he nears a return from IR. He said his hope is to play, but that it's up to doctors and coaches as to whether he gets on the field for the first time since Week 3.
"I hope so," Etienne told WWL when he was asked if he expected to play. "I definitely want to, but whatever they require me is what I'm gonna do. I'm just here to help the team, and I feel like I'm not much help when I'm out there on the sideline in my street clothes, so I hope they let me suit up and just go out there and be a valuable asset to the team."
The game is also an Etienne family affair, with Travis' brother, Trevor, a running back on the Panthers' roster.
Here's how the full injury report broke down on Friday:
LP = limited participation; FP = full participation; DNP = did not participate
- OT Kelvin Banks (ankle): LP | LP | FP
- RB CJ Donaldson (shoulder): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- LG David Edwards (knee): LP | LP | FP
- CB Martin Emerson Jr. (shin): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- RB Travis Etienne (hamstring): LP | LP | LP - questionable
- TE Noah Fant (back): LP | LP | FP
- OT Taliese Fuaga (knee): n/a | LP | DNP - out
- RB Alvin Kamara (NIR-rest/back): DNP | FP | FP
- C Erik McCoy (biceps): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- DT Christen Miller (knee): LP | DNP | DNP - out
- OT Asim Richards (thumb): FP. | FP | FP
- CB Quincy Riley (knee): n/a | LP | FP
The Saints have also ruled out DT Christen Miller due to a knee injury suffered during Wednesday's practice, meaning the second round pick will be inactive for the fifth time in nine games.
Saints WR Jordyn Tyson has not appeared on the injury report all week and figures to see a bigger workload than the 18 snaps in his NFL debut. LT Kelvin Banks was upgraded to a full participant at Friday's practice for the first time since returning from IR.
The Panthers have ruled out one player, though it's a significant one in LB Bobby Okereke, who is second on the team with 49 tackles. Here's how their side of the report broke down.
- RB Jonathon Brooks (groin): LP | LP | LP - doubtful
- G Brady Christensen (hamstring): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- RB Trevor Etienne (ankle): FP | FP | FP
- RB Chuba Hubbard (NIR-rest): DNP | FP | FP
- DT Lee Hunter (calf): FP | FP | FP
- CB Michael Jackson (groin): LP | LP | LP - doubtful
- CB Will Lee (hamstring): FP | FP | LP - questionable
- WR Xavier Legette (knee): FP | FP | FP - questionable
- G Damien Lewis (knee): FP | LP | FP
- LB Bobby Okereke (foot): DNP | DNP | DNP - out
- LB Jaelan Phillips (hamstring): FP | LP | FP - questionable
- G Torricelli Simpkins III (ankle): FP | FP | FP
The Saints (3-5) host the Panthers (3-5) for a noon kickoff on Sunday inside the Caesars Superdome. The winner will take over sole possession of the NFC South lead. Catch all the action on WWL and Audacy.
