Saints close to unveiling new-look offensive line

By Ross Jackson

For the first time this season, the New Orleans Saints will have their full complement of starting offensive line. The Saints’ starting five linemen appear to be healthy and ready to go. 

Rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., center Erik McCoy and right guard Cesar Ruiz have appeared in all three of the Saints’ matchups thus far. Last week, starting right tackle Taliese Fuaga was ruled out with back and knee injuries, but he started both of the first two games of the season. 

This week, against the Buffalo Bills, offensive lineman Trevor Penning looks prepared to make his debut at left guard, a role many believe the lineman will excel in even if there are growing pains early. 

New Orleans did not get a look at all five starters during the preseason as McCoy did not see action until the final week. By then, Penning had already suffered his toe injury and had been out as he recovered. So this will be the true first look at the Saints’ line since training camp. 

In the process, they’ll square off with a Bills team that is ranked dead last against the run, but that can bring pressure at a high rate with pass rushers Joey Bosa and Greg Rousseau. 

The Saints’ run-heavy gameplan has yet to come to fruition thanks to some slow starts in the scoreboard, having been outscored a combined 30-0 in the first quarter so far this year. Early deficits in the first half have put New Orleans behind the mark a bit. If they can control the game early with the run game, it will be their best chance to compete with Buffalo, one of the NFL’s elite teams. 

Doing so will require a strong showing from the protection unit, which will be at full-strength for the first time this year. A highly-anticipated debut is now just around the corner.