The New Orleans Saints are now at a grim crossroads on what to make of this season under new head coach Kellen Moore with the devastating injury updates on offense.

As reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network and NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill, Saints’ center Erik McCoy suffered a bicep tear in the team’s loss to the Chicago Bears and will be out with a season-ending surgery he’s scheduled to undergo this week. It’s now a consecutive season for McCoy in which he’ll appear in just seven games.

Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) on X #Saints C Eric McCoy is believed to have suffered a torn biceps, an injury knocks him out for the season, per me and @MikeGarafolo. One of the NFL’s best, McCoy also played seven games last season because of an injury, as well.

In addition, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that running back Kendre Miller tore his ACL in Chicago and is also done for the year.

What an absolute blow to a New Orleans team that was already struggling to make it work this season.

In place of McCoy, Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football (subscription required) reports that the Saints will “navigate” their next moves at center. It makes the most sense for them to turn to veteran Luke Fortner who they acquired in the preseason in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars – where he started at center in 34 contests – and who came in midgame for Ruiz against the Bears.

Other options include rookie backup Torricelli Simpkins, who slotted in for Trevor Penning after Dillon Radunz went down in his place, or Cesar Ruiz, who has a history of playing center. Ruiz started at center in all 26 games of his sophomore and junior seasons with the Michigan Wolverines and learned both positions in his first training camp with New Orleans.

Miller’s injury is massively disappointing after he just had a breakthrough in his third season after being afflicted by injuries his first two seasons with the Saints. He had already run for a career-high 193 yards on 47 carries and one touchdown through seven games this year and finally gave New Orleans a credible option alongside Alvin Kamara.

The next man up there is rookie sixth-rounder Devin Neal, who had a killer pass protection block in Chicago and has started to see a more increased role through the last two weeks.

No matter how you spin it, these injuries are just demoralizing. The offense has tried to find its way under Spencer Rattler, and this almost feels hopeless. It comes after Rattler had a really bad game after starting to stack performances against the New York Giants and New England Patriots.

Now, the Saints have to face their first divisional opponent in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which should give them answers on whether this season is lost or not. It’s so difficult to switch centers midseason with a seasoned quarterback, let alone a second-year starter.

But New Orleans must move on and see if there’s anything worth fighting for this season should they be able to push past this adversity against the Buccaneers. If the loss is a lopsided disaster, then the page should turn to next season.