Ryan

Ramczyk

Ramczyk served as a stalwart member of the Saints’ offensive line from 2017-2023, battling through deteriorating cartilage in his knee. He was sidelined by the issue for the full 2024 season. Ramczyk’s NFL accolades include a spot on the 2017 PFWA All-Rookie Team, two second-team All-Pro nods (2018 and 2020) and one first-team All-Pro (2019) spot.

Ominously, ESPN’s Katherine Terrell notes that “the move is the same one the Saints made before quarterback Drew Brees’ retirement in 2021.” The Saints reduced Ramczyk’s base salary to the veteran minimum and freed up $16.47 million in cap space for 2025. He did not play in the 2024 season due to deteriorating cartilage in his knee. 31 in April, it would make all the sense in the world for the Ramczyk to walk away later this offseason if that is indeed the plan.

Saints News Network reporter John Hendrix reports Dennis Allen expects Fuaga should be fine for Week 1. This remains a situation to monitor closely though after the team lost stalwart RT Ryan Ramczyk (knee) for the season back in July.

There was some confusion as to the rules, but as a vested veteran who was placed on reserve/PUP before final cuts, 30-year-old Ramczyk is required to miss the entire year. It’s a major blow for what the Saints are hoping will be a new-look offense this season, though Ramczyk has missed 13 games over the past three years. He had reportedly undergone “minor” knee surgery. It would seem it wasn’t so minor after all. Out of guaranteed money following this season, Ramczyk turns 31 in April.

Saints beat writer Nick Underhill reports that Ramczyk will miss the first four games of this season and that “the expectation is that he’s not particularly close [to a return].” Underhill believes Ramczyk’s absence will extend beyond the requisite four games and later added that there’s a chance Ramczyk won’t play this season. The veteran tackle underwent a minor knee surgery this offseason according to head coach Dennis Allen, but that appears to be anything but the case in light of today’s news.

Ramczyk’s 2024 cap hit was $27 million. The reworked deal with include $6.5 million in guarantees this season and help the Saints remain under the cap. The seven-year veteran had knee surgery in February and is expected to be healthy for the start of training camp. Ramczyk was graded by Pro Football Focus as last season’s 17th best run-blocking offensive lineman.

Allen noted that Ramczyk could be ready before training camp. The veteran tackle has dealt with knee issues for a while and missed the final four games of the season because of it. He told reporters late in the season that he has been dealing with cartilage loss in his knee for years. At the time, surgery and early retirement were both on the table. There have been no further retirement talks and Allen saying he expects Ramczyk to be ready by camp suggests he will give it another go in 2024.

Kamara was added to the injury report on Friday. He did not practice before drawing the questionable tag. NewOrleans.Football’s Brooke Kirchhofer reports Kamara is expected to play. Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk is out with a knee issue again meaning Landon Young will start at right tackle. Kamara will rank as an RB1 in a must-win game versus the Bucs.

Per Dennis Allen, Ramczyk, who missed Week 15 with the knee injury, didn’t suffer a new injury and is still dealing with the lingering knee issue that has plagued him in recent years. The hope is that the weeks off will allow him to return sooner rather than later. Landon Young took his spot in the lineup last week and will likely do so again versus the Rams.

Ramczyk left Week 6 late in the fourth quarter with a concussion and will now miss Thursday’s game against the Jaguars. Saints left tackle James Hurst also left Week 6 with an ankle injury and will not play on Thursday night. In their absence, Trevor Penning will move to left tackle, Cesar Ruiz will slide to right tackle and rookie Nick Saldiveri will move to right guard. That’s not great news for Derek Carr against a solid Jaguars defense.