PARIS, France – After suffering a knee injury against the New York Giants in Week 6, the New Orleans Saints saw the return of one of their starting offensive linemen to practice on Friday.
Starting right guard Cesar Ruiz had missed both Wednesday and Thursday’s practices with the injury, and appeared to be trending toward not taking the field this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
His return to practice on Friday was on a limited basis, per head coach Kellen Moore, but it did also open the door for Ruiz to be back on the field Sunday.
Ruiz will be questionable for Sunday’s game.
Rookie right guard Jeremiah Wright was in line to get this first career start. He stepped in place of Ruiz for 41 snaps against the Giants last week and impressed in the team’s 34-27 victory.
Behind Wright, the Saints’ run game averaged 4.7 yards per carry as opposed to with Ruiz steadying the position to the tune of 3.6 yards per carry. However, that’s a small sample size vs. a five-game run by Ruiz.
Keeping their Week 1 starter in the lineup would be the anticipated move if Ruiz is healthy enough. While Ruiz has struggled in the run game, his pass blocking has been outstanding in the early goings of the 2026 season.
He’s been credited for allowing only four pressures so far this season, generating a 1.7% pressure rate allowed. That’s an excellent mark as a part of an interior offensive line that’s been stellar in protection this year.
But if Wright does get the chance to make his first start this season, his ability in the run game could also aid the passing game with an efficient ground attack able to take some pressure off of quarterback Tyler Shough.
