Cesar

Ruiz

Ruiz and Shepard were the only Saints listed as questionable for Week 7. Jeremiah Wright will take his spot at right guard.

Kamara was still listed as limited in Friday’s practice, but the Saints feel confident enough in his health to clear him for Week 7. Kamara found the end zone last week on a 31-yard reception, but has largely been inefficient with his touches this season. He seen 14 opportunities to Kendre Miller’s 30 over the last two weeks and will be hard to trust as anything more than a touchdown-dependent RB3 against the Steelers. The only players on the Saints carrying injury designations into the weekend are guard Cesar Ruiz (knee) and DL Nathan Sheperd (illness). Both are listed as questionable.

Torricelli Simpkins III took Ruiz’s place after he left Week 4’s game against the Bills and played 39 snaps. If Dillon Radunz is unable to get off the injury report this week, Simpkins will likely play guard for the Saints in Week 5.

The Saints finally had their starting offensive line healthy, but that didn’t last two quarters as Ruiz got injured in the second. He was able to limp off the field, but then was taken into the locker room on a cart. It appears unlikely that he’ll return this week.

Ruiz left Week 13 with a concussion and missed Wednesday’s practice. He was back for a limited session on Thursday before getting fully cleared today. Fellow interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick was also cleared for action this week.

Ruiz left Week 13 with concussion symptoms and did not return. Per head coach Darren Rizzi, Ruiz has made some progress through the league’s concussion protocols. That gives him a shot at suiting up on Sunday. His practice statuses over the next two days will be telling.

Ruiz missed four games with the knee issue but is one of many Saints players returning to the lineup this week. They are getting healthy at several spots but are still going to be without Derek Carr this week. Even with an improved offensive line, Spencer Rattler will be an easy target for LA’s defense.

Ruiz has missed the past four weeks with a knee injury. He is one of several Saints offensive linemen to go down with a multi-week injury this season. Not much will change for the New Orleans as long as Spencer Rattler is under center, but getting Ruiz back will help the offense when Derek Carr returns.

Ruiz signed a four-year, $44 million contract extension just before Week 1 last year. He is one of many Saints players who will have their contract restructured this offseason as they work their way from $75 million over the cap down to zero. This move will net the Saints $6.6 million in cap space.

Also out for the Saints are cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jordan Howden. Even down multiple starting members of their secondary, the Saints will still be a tough matchup for Baker Mayfield.