The New Orleans Saints may be facing some serious injury fallout after a frustrating loss in Chicago.
Saints RB Kendre Miller left in the first quarter due to a knee injury, while center Erik McCoy went off the field in the 4th quarter with an elbow/biceps injury. Tests must be done to confirm the severity, but both are considered potentially significant.
“There’s concern for both those guys," Moore said. "We’ll see how it goes. ... We’ll hope for the best, but might be a concern for us going forward.”
Moore typically has not been a coach to comment on injuries in his postgame press conferences. McCoy was noticeably emotional as he left the field. The veteran center and unquestioned leader of the offensive line group battled multiple significant injuries a season ago, including an elbow injury, but had not missed a game to this point in the season. Moore didn't rule out a potential biceps tear, which would take significant recovery time.
McCoy was replaced in the game by veteran Luke Fortner, who was acquired in a trade late in the preseason that sent DT Khalen Saunders to the Jaguars.
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Miller has enjoyed the longest stretch of health to start a season in his young career, and a significant knee injury would mark another frustrating blow for a promising young player. He was replaced in the game by rookie Devin Neal, who will be in line to take on a significant role should Miller miss time.
The Saints could also turn to Velus Jones Jr. for RB depth, with the converted WR currently on the practice squad after spending the first five weeks on the active roster, primarily as a special teams contributor.
The Saints have largely avoided major injuries throughout the season, but they have seen a pair of players land on IR in veteran safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder) and rookie DT Vernon Broughton (hip). The Saints were also without defensive end Chase Young for the first five weeks of the season due to a calf injury.
New Orleans is 1-6 after the 26-14 loss to the Bears and returns home for a matchup with the NFC South leading Tampa Bay Buccaneers.