Saints Undergo Yet Another Offensive Line Shuffle Vs. Jaguars

The New Orleans Saints will field their fourth starting offensive line combination in their Week 7 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

It has become as tale as old as time for the New Orleans Saints these recent years and now yet another offensive line shakeup is on the way. New Orleans has already started three different offensive line combinations and there will be a fourth against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football.

Oct 15, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks to pass the ball during the first half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Per ESPN's Ed Werder, the Saints will deploy a starting lineup that consists of left guard Andrus Peat starting at left tackle, Max Garcia making his second start at left guard, the usual players Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz at center and right guard respectively and newly-signed offensive lineman Cam Erving at right guard. Erving joined the team's practice squad last week. The new collection is impacted by a couple of different factors.

Firstly, the Saints benched starting left tackle Trevor Penning. The decision was made before last week's game at the New England Patriots after his struggles throughout the opening portion of the season. They will keep that going for at least another game against Jacksonville. The team will also be without its usual starters along the line of scrimmage in Ryan Ramczyk (who usually starts at right tackle) and James Hurst (who has started at both left guard and tackle). Finally, Ramczyk's most immediate backup Landon Young was also ruled out this week, his third-straight missed game.

New Orleans has had major struggles along the offensive line this season. They have allowed 19 sacks, which ties for No. 6 in the NFL for most surrendered. The team is also only rushing at a 3.4 yard per carry clip, which ranks No. 28 in the league. How this shakeup will impact those numbers remains to be seen, but like any team on its fourth starting lineup, concern will mount. Protecting quarterback Derek Carr against Jaguars pass rushers Josh Allen and Travon Walker was already a task, now things are even further complicated.

Sep 18, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Tony Jones Jr. (34) follows a block by offensive tackle Trevor Penning (70) against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Here are the offensive line combinations New Orleans has deployed to far this season, listed from left tackle to right tackle:

• Penning, Hurst, McCoy, Ruiz and Ramczyk - Weeks 1, 2, and 5
• Penning, Peat, McCoy, Hurst, Ramczyk - Week 3
• Hurst, Garcia, McCoy, Ruiz, Ramczyk - Week 6
• Peat, Garcia, McCoy, Ruiz, and Erving - Week 7

New Orleans also had to shuffle it's like during the Week 6 game in Houston when Ruiz had to bounce outside to right tackle and rookie interior lineman Nick Saldiveri took his NFL debut snaps at right guard. 

Health has been a consistent concern for this group over the past few years. With the constant concerns around injuries and the upcoming expected departure of Peat, whose contract expires after this season, it is clear that offensive line will be a big focus during the offseason. Whether through the draft or the open market, expect some notable moves before the 2024 NFL season to bolster depth along the group and possibly find at least one new starter to take Peat's place.