Saints finally receive positive injury news regarding a few key players

This season has quickly fallen apart for the New Orleans Saints, while the team deserves a lot of blame for simply playing bad football, it’s hard to deny the impact injury has had on the team. Coinciding with the five-game losing streak has been significant injuries to several key players in New Orleans’ lineup.

The injury bug hit especially hard on the offensive side of the ball, with the starting quarterback, multiple linemen, and a handful of skill position players missing time with injury. One look at New Orleans’ injury report, and it’s easy to see how the team went from a historic offensive start, to a unit that is struggling to consistently move the ball.

After all the devastating injury news, the Saints are finally getting some positive news regarding the teams injured players. Head coach Dennis Allen recently revealed to media that he had a talk with the team’s medical staff, and was informed New Orleans could be getting some guys back in time for the Week 8 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Three players Allen highlighted were Cesar Ruiz, Erik McCoy, and Derek Carr.

Dennis Allen gives positive health updates for Derek Carr, Erik McCoy, and Cesar Ruiz

Starting with quarterback Derek Carr, Allen announced that Carr has begun a throwing progression as he works his way back. According to the head coach, he wasn’t sure if his QB would be ready for Week 8, but thinks he has a chance to return in Week 9.

As far as the linemen, who have both been sidelined since Week 3, their returns could be near. Allen said Cesar Ruiz has a chance to return in Week 8. He sustained a knee injury in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and hasn’t played since.

Starting center Erik McCoy was also injured against Philly, sustaining a groin injury that required surgery and placed him on injured reserve. His initial timeline was listed as six to eight weeks, but Allen said his recovery has been going well, and the veteran center will be on the earlier side of his window.

The team’s collapse can be tracked back to Week 3 when McCoy first went down with his injury. With Ruiz going down in the same game, it was all downhill for New Orleans from that point. Adding two veteran linemen back to the interior of the offensive line can make a huge difference.

Obviously, the Saints have other problems as well, but getting guys back on the field is a step in the right direction. With 10 games left, and five losses already on the record, New Orleans will need to go on an elite second-half run to position itself for a playoff spot.

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