Saints’ C Erik McCoy suffered calf strain, could miss time, per reports

The New Orleans Saints landed a marquee victory to open up their season, but it did not come without a price. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, edge defender Marcus Davenport, and center Erik McCoy all suffered injuries that will force them to miss some time. While in Lattimore’s case, the injury is being treated as week-to-week, the most recent news around McCoy’s injury is that a calf strain may lead to him missing several games.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added that McCoy could be out until after the Saints’ Week 6 bye week. The importance of that break in the schedule continues to grow. WR Michael Thomas, DT David Onyemata, Marcus Davenport, and now potentially Erik McCoy could all be coming back around that timeframe.

In the meanwhile, the Saints have wasted no time looking for someone to step into the lineup in place of McCoy bringing in former Kansas City Chief Austin Reiter for a workout on Tuesday morning.

During Sunday’s game, with Will Clapp unavailable, the Saints shifted second-year offensive lineman Cesar Ruiz to center while Calvin Throckmorton, former UDFA, filled in at right guard. While they both played well allowing only three pressures collectively, adding Reiter would allow the Saints to keep Ruiz at right guard where he prepared all offseason.

Reiter spent his first two season with the Cleveland Browns and his most recent three with the Kansas City Chiefs where he also appeared in two Super Bowls including one win. Reiter allowed on 11 total pressures in 2020 according to Pro Football Focus, all of which being hurries.He hasn’t allowed a sack since the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV win against the 49ers. That season, he also allowing only 11 pressures, however three were sacks including the playoffs.

Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Some credit must be given to Patrick Mahomes’ escapability, but either way, Reiter has been a solid starting center over the recent years. He was Kansas City’s most consistent performer on the offensive line, providing a bright spot for an otherwise struggling unit. He left the team after becoming an unrestricted free agent, visited with teams including the Houston Texans, New York Giants, and Cincinnati Bengals but curiously never landed a spot.

Now, he has another chance for an opportunity, working out with the New Orleans Saints who will look to keep four of their five starters in their expected spots. The Saints have been a team of resilience over the last few years, and this season has already been no exception.

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