This is a big loss. The New Orleans Saints are not expected to have starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk (knee) in the lineup on Sunday against the New York Giants, per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. Ramczyk was limited in practice this week with a knee injury and was officially listed as questionable for Week 15’s game but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be able to play.
That’s big news for Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Giants defensive end has primarily rushed off the left side of the defensive line in recent weeks (on 71% of his pass rush snaps, per Pro Football Focus charting), going up against right tackles, which puts him on a collision course with Ramczyk’s backup. The Saints brought up Cameron Erving from the practice squad for this game in anticipation of Ramczyk’s absence.
Erving has held up well before. The Saints asked him to fill in for Ramczyk earlier this season against the Jacksonville Jaguars and while Erving didn’t match up with Jaguars sacks leader Josh Allen he did hold his own against Travon Walker and Dawuane Smoot. Thibodeaux is a unique challenge, though. He’s bagged 11.5 sacks this year after earning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year votes last season. It’s a lot to ask Erving to block him one-on-one. Let’s see what the Saints’ plan is for slowing him down.
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