The New Orleans Saints made a telling move on Monday afternoon. They are moving on from an offensive piece that has started games for them over the past month of play.
Saints waive center
New Orleans waived veteran center Connor McGovern on Monday. With that move, it is clear that the Saints will be getting back on of their best players and biggest leaders on offense back in Week 11.
McGovern played 369 snaps with New Orleans, spending time at both center and guard.
Erik McCoy's return
Star center Erik McCoy has not played since suffering a groin injury that needed surgery. He is the leader of the OL, a unit that lacks experience without him.
McCoy began practicing again last week, in a limited fashion. He did not play in Week 10, but there is clear confidence that he will return in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns. New Orleans has a bye week in Week 12.
With his addition, the Saints will have an offensive line that mimics their unit to begin the season. The only question mark from that group is interior OL Lucas Patrick, who is still dealing with an injury and did not play this past Sunday against the Falcons.
Regardless, four out of five starters would be quite the raise in standards, compared to what the Saints' OL has looked like for much of this season.
Taliese Fuaga has arguably been their most consistent performer on the line as a rookie, and the interior has seen constant shuffling due to injuries.
McCoy, alongside quarterback Derek Carr, was in charge of adjusting protection and making reads pre-snap for New Orleans' offense under OC Klint Kubiak.
Without him, a lot of that pressure has relayed to only Carr, with the exception of Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler when they stepped in for the starting QB due to his oblique injury. Carr will be able to breathe a little easier before each play with McCoy back in the starting lineup.
The Saints are set to get back their best piece on the offensive front, and it should help both the passing and rushing attack for New Orleans.
