In the New Orleans Saints’ Week 6 victory over the New York Giants, New Orleans was propelled to its win thanks to the help of two players that were called into action because of injuries that knocked out a pair of starters.
Midway through the second quarter both starting right guard Cesar Ruiz and starting cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry took early exits.
Ruiz exited the game with a knee injury and did not return after halftime. Similarly, McKinstry did not return, staying on the sideline with a migraine.
In their stead, two offseason additions joined the fray. Rookie offensive lineman and 2026 fourth-round draft selection Jeremiah Wright stepped in at right guard, while veteran cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. manned the top cornerback spot.
Wright was credited with just one pressure surrendered and helped to pace the way in the run game with physicality and aggression. His energy was notable and clearly translated to the other players on offense.
“That’s me, I’m like an energy guy,” Wright said. “I try to get guys going. I’m not gonna just take all of the credit like, ‘Oh, Jeremiah got in.’ You know? it’s just everybody knows me. I bring the energy, bring juice. So just being able to get in there, do my 1/11th and help the team come out victorious.”
Meanwhile, Emerson brought his own juice to the field with two interceptions, a pair of pass breakups and seven total tackles. His all-around day brought out his physicality on full display in the win.
His vigor is clearly his calling card.
“I’ve been physical my whole life,” Emerson said. “That’s how I make my money, being a physical corner. Being in front of guys, and trying to dominate every single play, and not taking a play off. I want to be physical, and hopefully everybody feels that energy, and they come with that killer mentality and just try to dominate your opponent.”
Both Emerson and Wright displayed or helped to contribute to displays of dominance throughout the game. So much so that it will be hard for the Saints to now not find more ways to get both players on the field more.
Ruiz may end up missing time depending on the severity of his knee injury, while Emerson had already been sporadically rotating in on drives. If New Orleans needs, or decides to give him and Wright more opportunities, it seems likely that the opportunity would be rewarded in mind.
Having players in the field with additional energy and invigorating play those two brought on Sunday, could only help fuel a team still learning how to win and put games away.
“At the end of the day, you want to make (the opponent) quit,” Emerson said. “You want to make them quit and you want to make them bow down to you and let them know, ‘Every play, we’re here.’”
