By Ross Jackson
METAIRIE, La. — The full offensive line may be back in action for the New Orleans Saints after all. As the Saints travel to take on the New York Giants, the hope was that the team would have its full complement of starting offensive lineman available for the first time since Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. That hope took a hit Wednesday when starting right guard Cesar Ruiz was not seen at practice.
However, the Saints got some much-needed good news in that area on Thursday as Ruiz was back at practice.
Here is the attendance from the portion of Saints practice open to the media:
Not seen:
TE Taysom Hill (Knee)
WR Bub Means (Ankle)
S Roderic Teamer (SUSP)
OL Nick Saldiveri (Knee
Return:
OL Cesar Ruiz (Concussion)
The return of Ruiz should generate a sigh of relief for the Saints. With do-it-all Taysom Hill out, the team will need all the help it can get on offense to get things going. Alvin Kamara could have a big game against a porous run defense in New York, so having the offensive line in tact is a huge boost for Week 14.
Hill and Saldiveri are likely to be sent to Injured Reserve soon, however those moves have not yet been made. They will likely be made once final decisions on players like running back Kendre Miller and defensive lineman Tanoh Kpassagnon are made. Both of which are primed to potentially return from their respective injury lists this week.
Teamer has been suspended for the next three games after violating the NFL’s Substances of Abuse Policy. He is eligible to return after the Saints Week 16 game with the Green Bay Packers.
It’s unclear as of now whether or not Means was out because of a setback as he tried to get back to the field after an ankle injury sent him to Injured Reserve or if he was simply receiving treatment at the time of the media viewing window of practice. More information will be available when the injury report is released in the afternoon.
On a sidenote: Saints tight end Clancy Barone was brought in for fluids after not feeling well during practice on Wednesday. The tight ends continued to work with offensive assistant Jordan Traylor.
