Erik McCoy, the center for the New Orleans Saints, will require surgery for a groin injury sustained during the team’s recent 15-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Sources indicate he is expected to miss six to eight weeks, marking a significant setback for the Saints’ offensive line.
This injury comes at a time when the Saints’ offensive line was already facing scrutiny. While they performed well in the initial games of the season, their struggles became apparent against the Eagles, particularly after McCoy exited just three plays into the match.
McCoy, who was a second-round draft pick in 2019, is regarded as the Saints’ premier offensive lineman. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season and has been a consistent starter, participating in 77 games throughout his career. This is the first serious injury he has faced since 2022 when he missed four games due to a calf issue.
NFL Network first reported the news about McCoy needing surgery. In his absence, the Saints have turned to veteran Lucas Patrick, who was initially playing left guard. Patrick, with eight years of experience, previously played center for the Chicago Bears and has also filled that role for the Green Bay Packers.
Coach Dennis Allen praised Patrick’s performance, noting that he handled the situation well, allowing no pressures in 28 pass-blocking snaps. However, the team must now address the vacancy at left guard.
Following Patrick’s move to center, veteran Oli Udoh was brought in to take over left guard duties. The Saints had also utilized Landon Young in this position earlier, but he had missed significant practice time leading up to the game due to a foot injury.
Additionally, fourth-round draft pick Nick Saldiveri had been in contention for the left guard spot but faced his own challenges after a calf injury sidelined him for much of training camp.
If McCoy’s recovery takes the full eight weeks, he could return post-bye week when the Saints host the Los Angeles Rams on December 1. This would leave the team with only six games remaining in the season.
Coach Allen acknowledged the impact of losing a Pro Bowl center, stating that it poses a challenge for the team. However, he emphasized that all NFL teams face similar hurdles and expects the remaining players to rise to the occasion.