Report: Saints’ Andrus Peat suffered MCL sprain, out 4 weeks
By John Hendrix
New Orleans Saints fans can breathe a little easier today with Andrus Peat. NFL insider Rand Getlin reports that the rookie offensive tackle suffered a grade-2 MCL sprain against the Atlanta Falcons last night. According to the report, the good news is that Peat won’t require surgery, but will be out for at least four weeks.
I'm told #Saints OT Andrus Peat suffered a grade-2 MCL sprain in last night's game. He won't require surgery but will miss roughly 4 weeks.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) October 16, 2015
The injury was feared to be severe upon first glance and reaction, because knees simply aren’t supposed to do that. Peat’s leg was rolled up on, and veteran tackle Tony Hills, who was signed to the Saints roster less than two weeks ago, handled duties the rest of the way. Essentially, Hills is the third option on the depth chart, and found himself participating in 67 of the Saints 74 offensive plays.
Andrus Peat was playing extremely well on the team’s first drive, which resulted in a Mark Ingram 2-yard touchdown after a 12-play, 80 yard drive to open the game. Peat’s Pro Football Focus grade currently sits at a +1.3, with him playing in 105 snaps this season.
According to the RCM Clinic, the injury represents an incomplete (Grade II) or a complete (Grade III) rupture of the collagen fibers which connect the ends of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone).
The mini-bye week figures to provide some extra rest for primary starter Terron Armstead, and the Saints desperately need him back on the offensive line. However, the big question remains whether they’ll lean on Hills as the primary backup, or go shopping for another option at tackle.
Overall, the Saints offensive line has had its fair share of injuries, seeing starting guards Jahri Evans and Tim Lelito out of the lineup in addition to Armstead. On a positive note, the hobbled line allowed only one sack on quarterback Drew Brees.
As far as other injuries, The Advocate‘s Joel Erickson is reporting that a groin injury suffered by linebacker Dannell Ellerbe is not serious.
The groin injury Dannell Ellerbe suffered in the second half is not a long-term issue, per source. No specifics on potential recovery time
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) October 16, 2015
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