Saints tackle Landon Young is set for season-ending foot surgery (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). This marks yet another frustrating injury for the Saints, who are already short-staffed on the offensive line.
Young made his first ever pro start on Sunday, filling in for injured left tackle Terron Armstead while playing on 98% of the snaps. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, they were without Ryan Ramczyk. The Saints hope to have at least one of those tackles back for Thursday’s game against the Bills, but they’re unlikely to have both in action at 100% health.
Between the injuries to the three tackles and guard Andrus Peat‘s season-ending pec tear, the Saints’ front five is full of holes. They’ll likely keep swing lineman Caleb Benenoch on the active roster, but they’ll need at least one more body for depth. For now, they have just two healthy tackles in James Hurst and Jordan Mills.
After the 40-29 loss to the Eagles, the Saints are at the .500 mark. Now, down yet another key player, they’ll aim 6-5 when they host the Bills on Thursday night.
5-6 a coming
Soooo many injuries
Well, Peat’s not an enormous loss on his own, but coupled with the injuries to the tackles and the situation at QB (and the uncertainness at receiver), it’s actually astounding that the Saints have managed to score as many points as they have.
You won’t get recognition in the NFL for losses, but Payton deserves some kind of credit for getting New Orleans to a competitive spot this far into the season.