Saints turn to Luke Fortner after Erik McCoy injury

By Ross Jackson

After experiencing an injury that derailed the New Orleans Saints’ 2024 season again this year, the team will be turning to an unfamiliar face to be the cornerstone leader of the offensive line. New Orleans will be without starting center Erik McCoy for the remainder of the season after he suffered a torn pectoral muscle injury last weekend against the Chicago Bears.

New Orleans had to learn how to navigate without McCoy last year as well, but didn’t do so with much success. The Saints won just one game without its starting center calling the shots in the trenches for the offense last year. At 1-6 already this season, the loss of McCoy is sure to sound some alarms.

However, New Orleans has expressed confidence in the player that will be tasked for stepping into the role, veteran center Luke Fortner.

OL Luke Fortner will start at center this weekend for the #Saints after losing Erik McCoy for the season to injury.

— Ross Jackson (@RossJacksonNOLA) October 22, 2025

“We’ll just start Luke (Fortner) at center,” head coach Kellen Moore said on Wednesday. “He’s done a really good job. He’s played some good football. Fired up for him. Keep the continuity at the right side and the left side and I think we’re trending well.”

Moore said during his day-after media availability that there were three options to step in at center for the team. Along with Fortner, rookie Torricelli SImpkins III and starting right guard Cesar Ruiz were also possible choices. 

Going with Fortner makes a lot of sense for the team. He’s taken more than 1,000 snaps at center in two different years while with the Jacksonville Jaguars and this allows the Saints to not upset two starting positions with one injury. Moving Ruiz over to center would have meant also adding another starter at right guard. 

Fortner was acquired by the Saints via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason in exchange for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Fortner was originally drafted by the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL Draft, the same class as Saints’ left guard Trevor Penning, who shared his vote of confidence for the veteran center as well. 

“He’s played center, he’s been around a while, and he’s my draft class,” left guard Trevor Penning said Wednesday in the locker room. “”He’s a very bright guy, mentally, with all the IDs and stuff like that. … He’s good on that part. Physically, obviously, he’s gonna be great too. We’re excited for him.”

Fortner will have a challenge ahead of him as the team takes on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Head coach and defensive leader Todd Bowles is known for being aggressive and dialing up some creative and innovative blitzes in particular. Therefore, Fortner’s ability to diagnose pre-snap might become the most important and impactful of his skills in this game. A skill that is sure to be challenged by a talented defensive play caller and an athletic and relentless defensive line.

Nevertheless, the Saints appear to feel good about what Fortner brings to the table, although he won’t be tasked alone to pick up what the team will be missing without McCoy.

“He’s a pro,” said offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. “He’s been around and he’s got to start a lot of games in this league. He knows this is what he does. It’s obviously disappointing, for Erik (McCoy) and his injury. For him it’s tragic and and and we all feel for him and we’re with him, but I’ve got a lot of confidence in Luke.”