The New Orleans Saints are gearing up for the 2024 NFL season with some significant adjustments to their lineup, headlined by right tackle Ryan Ramczyk's placement on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. This move follows an offseason knee surgery that has posed more challenges in his recovery than initially expected, as indicated by Saints head coach Dennis Allen, who remarked, "Ramczyk's knee hadn't responded the way that they had hoped."
Ramczyk's knee issues have been a persistent problem, sidelining him for the last four games of the previous regular season. Over the past three years, he's managed to start only 38 out of a possible 50 games, a troubling trend for a player considered critical to the Saints' offensive line. The team is now mandated to navigate the early part of their season without his services, as his placement on the PUP list will keep him out of the first four games. Following this period, the Saints will have a five-week window to allow Ramczyk to begin practicing. However, the clock will then start on a 21-day window in which the coaching staff must decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster or leave him on the PUP list for the remainder of the season.
New Faces and Realignments
In anticipation of Ramczyk's uncertainty, the Saints moved to address their offensive line depth in the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga in the first round. During offseason training, Fuaga has primarily been working at the left tackle position, a role pivotal to protecting the quarterback's blind side. Concurrently, Trevor Penning, a first-round pick from 2022, has been taking reps at right tackle, potentially positioning him as Ramczyk's initial replacement.
The reshuffling up front reflects a broader strategic adjustment as the Saints aim to maintain a strong offensive line—an area that has historically been a cornerstone of their game strategy. Regardless of Ramczyk's eventual return, the depth provided by young talents like Fuaga and Penning offers the coaching staff some flexibility and resilience moving forward.
Expanding the PUP List
Ramczyk isn't the only player on the Saints' PUP list causing a ripple effect across the roster. The team has also placed tight end Juwan Johnson, defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon, linebacker Nephi Sewell, and defensive end Chase Young on the same list. This accumulation of sidelined talent underscores the challenges the Saints face in the early part of the season, as they must cope with multiple absences in key positions. Each of these players will similarly miss the first four games, adding to the coaching staff's task of finding adequate replacements and maintaining team performance.
Non-Football Concerns
Further complicating matters, wide receiver Chris Olave has been placed on the non-football injury list. Olave's situation differs from those on the PUP list; nonetheless, his absence is another hurdle the Saints will have to overcome. Olave's role as a dynamic playmaker for the Saints' offense makes his absence particularly notable, and his return will be eagerly awaited by both fans and the team's offensive coordinators.
Looking Forward
The start of the NFL season is a time of hope and anticipation for every team, but also a period fraught with challenges and uncertainties. For the Saints, managing these early setbacks effectively will be crucial. The coaching staff, led by Dennis Allen, will be under scrutiny as they navigate these early games without several key players. The performance of young linemen like Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning could very well define the team's fortunes in these first few weeks.
While Ryan Ramczyk's progress will be closely monitored, the Saints' ability to adapt and compensate for his and other players' absences will determine how competitive they remain in a fiercely contested division. With the maneuverability in roster management provided by the NFL's PUP and non-football injury lists, the Saints hope to strike the right balance between readiness and long-term player health, ensuring they are in peak form as the season progresses.