There are a number of key storylines going into the NFL’s first game in France between the New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers. However, along with the obvious, historic matters, one developing situation could launch a fourth-round rookie into the forefront of the game.
With starting right guard Cesar Ruiz questionable, and a quiet roster move that suggests he may not be available or potentially at full strength, rookie offensive lineman Jeremiah Wright could quickly become one of the more important Saints players to watch on Sunday.
Ruiz did not participate in the team’s practices on Wednesday and Thursday and was limited in his return on Friday. He is working to come back from a knee injury that sidelined him just 29 snaps into the team’s Week 6 win over the New York Giants.
The Saints elevated offensive lineman Easton Kilty for game day ahead of the matchup. That at least suggests that there’s a chance that Ruiz either won’t play, will be only an emergency option or has a risk of re-injury the team is planning to manage.
Standing by in the wings is Wright, who impressed in his 41 snaps at right guard after replacing Ruiz last week.
Wright allowed one pressure on his pass blocking snaps, but helped to improve the team’s yards by carry by a full yard as compared to when Ruiz has been in the lineup throughout the season.
However, one player won’t make an offensive line. It will take the entire unit carrying its physicality from one week to the next, as the Saints found a lot of success last week running more man scheme rushes.
Should New Orleans continue that trend, and if Wright does get his first career start against the Steelers, the team would be playing into his greatest strength: his aggressiveness.
With that, Wright would be in position to become one of the biggest storylines of the international matchup. Especially if he helps the Saints come out on top as the first-ever NFL victors in France.
