Charles

Brown

He was replaced by Pat McQuistan. Brown remained down on the field for several moments, but did not appear to suffer a severe injury. He’ll likely be questionable for Week 9.

It’s a tough blow for Brown, who shined as the Saints’ fill-in starter at right tackle with Zach Strief nursing an injury of his own. Coach Sean Payton revealed that Brown injured his hip flexor and will require surgery. He’s been injury prone through two seasons, but should maintain a roster spot in 2012.

Brown started five games in place of RT Zach Strief before missing the final eight games with the hip injury. If he can finally shake the string of injuries, Brown will likely push Strief for the starting job.

Brown is in the starting lineup with Zach Strief out with an injury. Undrafted rookie Bryce Harris is now lining up at right tackle for New Orleans.

The 64th pick in the 2010 draft, Brown was beat out for the job in training camp by Zach Strief. Strief will miss Sunday’s game against the Falcons with a groin injury. Brown, 25, started five games last season and struggled some, but didn’t embarrass himself. This will be a big opportunity for him.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune suggests RT Zach Strief is a candidate for injured reserve after injuring his knee in Sunday’s win over the Texans. Charles Brown figures to start at right tackle against the Jaguars this week. Longtime starter Jon Stinchcomb was released at final cuts, and subsequently retired.

Strief is expected to sit out one more week, but he’s back on track to return before the Week 11 bye. Charles Brown, last year’s second-rounder, has held up well enough that the Saints may consider keeping him in as the starter.

Brown, a second-round pick in 2010, has spent the majority of his first three NFL seasons in the trainer’s room. He’s now facing an all-out competition with free agent acquisition Jason Smith and third-round pick Terron Armstead to replace Jermon Bushrod. “It’s definitely time for me to step up and prove myself and prove that I can protect Drew back there,” Brown said. It’s an area of concern for the Saints.

Brown suffered a “little injury while weightlifting.” He was working on the sidelines with a trainer on Thursday, and coach Sean Payton stressed the injury is “nothing significant.” Brown is expected to get the first crack at the starting left tackle spot, but Jason Smith worked with the ones in his absence.

As expected, Brown is getting the first crack at the job vacated by Jermon Bushrod. Free agent pickup Jason Smith and third-round rookie Terron Armstead have been working with the backups. Brown’s ability to be effective and stay on the field is one of the Saints’ major storylines this season. Thanks in large part to constant injuries, he has just eight career starts under his belt.