Will Clapp returned to the New Orleans Saints this offseason but went down with an injury in his first preseason action. It was originally reported Clapp would miss significant time. Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz gave a more bleak definition of "significant."
Schultz reported the belief is Clapp's foot injury will require surgery and end his season. This is a tough break for the interior lineman who was returning back to his hometown team after a couple of years away.
Clapp was expected to be one of the Saints top swing interior linemen. His flexibility would let him play center or guard, but he was going to primarily be New Orleans' backup center. In his absence, a new solution may have arisen.
Opens the door for Torricelli Simpkins III to be Erik McCoy's backup
The cliche of "when one door closes, another one opens" is unfortunately true in this situation, though not in the phrase's intended meaning. The door on Clapp's season has been shut. There isn't another door opening for him but rather rookie offensive lineman Torricelli Simpkins.
Simpkins was a quiet star in the preseason opener. It's not often you rave about a center, but Simpkin's performance demanded it. After Clapp went out with injury, Simpkins played the entirety of the game and played better than you'd expect under the circumstances.
When asked about Simpkins after the game, Moore started by just saying awesome twice before delving into deeper details. "For him to hop in there that quickly and essentially play the whole game at center, your first game in the NFL, preseason football, you get thrown in there just like that, his response was phenomenal. I thought he did an incredible job," Moore said.
To make it more impressive, Simpkins is just starting to play center. He's been a guard throughout his collegiate career and most of the offseason. Still, the undrafted free agent stepped in and had no issues snapping the ball. Simpkins had to snap the ball to three different quarterbacks, and there weren't any faulty snaps.
Clapp was behind McCoy on the unofficial depth chart followed by Kyle Hergel. Hergel stayed at guard after Clapp's injury, and Simpkins made the most of the opportunity. When the Saints play the Rams next week, it'll be interesting to see what the rotation at center looks like. Simpkins getting the first snaps would send a loud message.