The New Orleans Saints are entering a matchup against a severely banged up San Francisco 49ers team this Sunday.
Much talk has been had about the number of injuries on the Niners’ side, making this a more winnable matchup for the Saints.
Unfortunately, more of those are on offense, and that won’t do anything about a defensive line headlined by Nick Bosa and a second level featuring one of the best linebackers in the league in Fred Warner.
New Orleans has their own injuries to consider, and as of Friday, thinks are looking questionable for some key members in the trenches.
As Ross Jackson with Locked On Saints and Louisiana Sports Dot Net reported on X, left guard Trevor Penning and defensive end Chase Young have been ruled out of Sunday’s contest, and right tackle Taliese Fuaga is questionable.
San Francisco will be looking to pounce on a second-year quarterback in Spencer Rattler – and if he’s missing both his starting left guard and right tackle, that might be a concern.
Meanwhile, the Niners made a statement and clear investment with their first three picks in the NFL draft to shore up the future of their defense: defensive linemen Mykel Williams, Alfred Collins, and linebacker Nick Martin.
The front seven dominated the Seattle Seahawks against the run last weekend and while they only had one sack on Sam Darnold from Nick Bosa, that unit is poised to be an issue if New Orleans can’t trot out their starting personnel.
Dillon Radunz will fill in again at left guard for Penning, and Asim Richards may slot in again if Fuaga can’t go – he stepped in for 32 snaps against the Cardinals.
The loss of Young again is a bit less concerning with the injuries for San Francisco piling up on the offensive side of the ball.
What those injuries to the Niners have done is perhaps unfairly place the need to win this one on Rattler’s shoulders.
That side just doesn’t have much to do with him. San Francisco’s defensive standouts are still in play in Bosa and Warner, and they’ll be looking to exploit potential weaknesses on the offensive line with backups in play.
It won’t change that Rattler will be 0-8 as a Saints quarterback. But neither offense will be at their full strength this weekend.
The starters on New Orleans’ offensive line were a point of strength. The backups are less sure. Behind them?
This may be more of a defensive slugger than first thought on Sunday.