The New Orleans Saints were in a tough spot in Week 11. Injuries struck a number of key starters, including cornerback Marshon Lattimore and special teams returner Deonte Harris (each battling hamstring injuries), as well as Pro Bowl left guard Andrus Peat (sidelined for an extended time with a broken arm). These injuries meant that a number of New Orleans Saints backups had to step up into starting roles, and luckily, they rise to the occasion against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let’s break it down.

Nick Easton in for Andrus Peat

New Orleans knows exactly what they have in Peat — a player that can execute most blocks and maybe get into the Pro Bowl as an alternate. However, Peat’s lengthy injury history (from his broken hand last season, to the broken leg the year before, to enduring ankle issues before that) and now a broken arm this season has kept him far from the discussion of the league’s elite.

Many fans believed that Will Clapp would take over for the injured Peat; however, it would be the veteran Nick Easton who would get the nod. Easton had spent much of the season as a healthy inactive before being called up for the Week 11 matchup with the Buccaneers. It was easy to see how Easton impacted the game, and how the Saints had made the right choice.

After taking six sacks against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10, quarterback Drew Brees stayed upright with zero sacks for the entire game against Tampa Bay. A large part of this was due to the fact that Terron Armstead had recovered from his bout with the flu, but credit must be given to Easton for his level of play next to him.

With Peat out for much of the regular season, Easton should be expected to get the majority of snaps at left guard, and it’s possible that the offensive line’s play will improve because of it.