Struggling New Orleans Saints offensive line suffers another significant blow.
The New Orleans Saints entered the 2024 NFL season with significant concerns about their offensive line protecting quarterback Derek Carr. Before the season began, they lost key player Ryan Ramczyk for the year, necessitating a major reshuffle in their lineup.
To adjust, the Saints moved Trevor Penning from his usual left tackle position to the right side and replaced him with rookie Taliese Fuaga at left tackle. This change initially paid off, as the Saints, under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, enjoyed a record-setting start, with Carr resembling the MVP candidate fans had hoped for.
However, an injury to center Erik McCoy may lead to further adjustments on the offensive line, which could impact the team’s performance going forward. After a strong start, the Saints faltered in Week 3, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles and scoring only 12 points.
This decline in offensive production was stark compared to their first two games, where they scored 47 points against the Carolina Panthers and 44 against the Dallas Cowboys. A significant factor in the Eagles’ victory was their pressure on Carr, who faced pressure on 44% of his passes, resulting in just 19 yards and an interception.
The offensive line struggles also affected the running game, which had been strong in the first two weeks. Running back Alvin Kamara’s yards per carry dropped from over 5 to just 3.3 in the loss to the Eagles.
With McCoy sidelined after groin surgery, the Saints face serious challenges ahead. While they started strong, ongoing issues with the offensive line could hinder Carr’s protection and Kamara’s ability to run, potentially leading to a tough season for a team that seemed ready to compete for the NFC South title.
