Saints Top Pick Leaves Practice

By Ross Jackson

IRVINE – A big issue for the New Orleans Saints may have just turned dire. The team’s offensive line has been a major point of contention so far this offseason after a lackluster performance in their opening preseason game and some shaky performances throughout training camp.

The one constant saving grace outside of the unit’s returning starters was rookie offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga. That is, until he was unable to take the practice field on Thursday due to injury. 

Head coach Dennis Allen updated his status in his post-practice media availability letting it be known that the issue was back tightness. “They took him in, probably during the individual period, he had some back tightness,” he said. “Even prior to starting practice, looked to me like he was trying to stretch his back out maybe a little bit. So I don’t know if that was bothering him beforehand.”

There is no indication at this time of the severity of the situation for the 2024 first-round pick, but the Saints are certainly crossing their fingers that he will be back out on the field sooner than later.