Saints rule out Demario Davis, Cesar Ruiz vs. Falcons | Saints

If the New Orleans Saints want to get a big win against the rival Atlanta Falcons this weekend, they will have to be without several more of their top players.

After placing center Erik McCoy on injured reserve earlier this week, coach Dennis Allen said the Saints will also rule out linebacker Demario Davis (hamstring) and right guard Cesar Ruiz (knee).

This will be the first game Davis has missed due to injury in his 13-year career (although Davis was one of many to miss a loss to Miami in 2021 due to a positive COVID-19 test).

“We're not going to put anyone out there that we think we're putting at risk of getting hurt,” coach Dennis Allen said. “… You always just look at what's right, what's right for the player and the team.”

Through three games this season, Davis has 18 tackles and one sack. According to Pro Football Reference, he didn't miss a tackle.

Ruiz's knee injury — which Allen said earlier this week was unrelated to the injury that forced him to come off the field for a snap against Philadelphia — will put even more strain on the Saints' offensive line.

McCoy and Ruiz were the only two returning starters from the offensive line for the Saints last season. Both have been consistent starters for the Saints since being drafted in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

New Orleans has some experienced options on the interior to make up for the losses. Lucas Patrick has 57 NFL starts in his career, Oli Udoh has 18 and Landon Young has pitched in well as the backup starter when asked by the Saints in 2021. Shane Lemieux, recently signed from the practice squad, has a dozen NFL starts.

“We have confidence in our group,” Allen said.