Taliese Fuaga was added to the injury report Thursday with a knee injury and matters got worse Friday morning. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reported the offensive tackle is going through testing on a knee sprain. With Jaelan Phillips and the Carolina Panthers on the schedule, Fuaga’s injury could prove deadly.
Underhill’s exact words, more than simply being evaluated, are the reason for concern. “Initial expectation is that it is not a significant injury, but further evaluation will determine.” The good news is it isn’t expected to be serious, but the tone of everything sounds like a multi-week injury.
Kellen Moore said they don't expect Fuaga to have to go to injured reserve, and even that piece of clarity sounds like a multiple week absence. It might not be 4 weeks, but it doesn't sound like he'll be back for next week's matchup either.
The entire right side of the Saints offensive line could be down
If Fuaga is unable to play, the entire right side of the offensive line, from center to tackle, will be backups. Cesar Ruiz is a starter, and a natural center, but he’s a starting right guard for the Saints. As he shifts over, Jeremiah Wright will take over at right guard.
The expectation should be that Asim Richards will step in in place of Fuaga, as Richards did last season. He filled in for Kelvin Banks Jr with uninspiring results at left tackle. The team will need more out of him on the right side.
All three of these players have starting experience, even if it's just one game in Wright's case. That's the glass half full way of thought.
The other side is the Saints have three players playing positions they don't normally play or don't usually start at all playing next to each other. The chemistry between those players is going to have to come together quickly.
Jaelan Phillips is licking his chops looking at this injury
Phillips has his own injury to worry about. He's been limited to just five games this year, and is questionable to play this week. The edge rusher returned after Carolina's bye week, just to suffer a setback shortly into his first game back.
If he's able to play, however, Phillips is a problem. He had .5 a sack in just 28 snaps against the Eagles, so he doesn't need a lot of time to ramp up.
Phillips primarily lines up on the right tackle. This was one of the matchups highlighted for Fuaga coming into the season because of the weight behind it. It's a big ask for Richards this week, if Phillips can play.
If the edge rusher does suit up, this could be catastrophic. The Saints struggled to keep Tyler Shough clean last week, and that would have a much greater impact against a Panthers that can actually put up points.
Pressure can derail the offense in a game where offense will have to be better. Fuaga's injury opens the door for pressure, and Phillips' presence could kick that door in.
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