A big matchup this week for the Saints as they prepare to play the Panthers here at home. Here at the halfway point this divisional game could prove pivotal as both the Panthers and the Saints enter this matchup tied at 3-5 with the winner taking a hold of the division lead. Each team has dealt with some key injuries so far this season but appears to be getting healthy just in time for this game. 

On offense the Saints will be trying a new configuration on the offensive line with Eric McCoy, Tali Fuaga not in the lineup with a biceps injury and knee sprain respectively. The Saints will be shifting Cesar Ruiz over to center and will be inserting rookie Jeremiah Wright at right guard. Cesar Ruiz has not logged an NFL start at center but has an extensive history at center from his collegiate career at Michigan. Jeremiah Wright has had limited snaps during his rookie season thus far but looks to have an extended window of opportunity to prove he belongs in the starting lineup long term. With Fuaga out of the lineup Asim Richards will switch over to right tackle to fill in there. The offensive line will be entering this game with plenty of question marks so we will see if they are able to sink or swim against the Panthers.

The next major story line on offense for the Saints is the potential return of Travis Etienne Jr from his hamstring injury. His return could help continue the positive momentum for the ground game for the Saints which started with Audric Estime’s performance last weekend against the Browns. Having another reliable running back to join the rotation on game day will be a welcome addition for the offense. It will be interesting to see how the offense looks any different with Travis in the mix.

The last storyline to follow on offense will be the continued ramp up of Jordyn Tyson. Tyson played last week against the Browns on very limited snaps but did flash with the little time he had on the field. With more snaps coming this week against the Panthers I expect Tyson to play a more integrated role within the offense and for the receiving group as a whole to take advantage of the panthers injuries in the secondary. 

Moving over to the defensive side of the ball the major storyline to follow will be the Saints secondary versus the Panthers pass catchers. The Panthers have one of the taller pass catching groups and the Saints not having the tallest secondary players outside of Martin Emerson. We’ll see if the Panthers are able to take advantage of the size difference of these two groups. 

The next and perhaps most important storyline on defense to follow will be the Saints defensive line versus the Panthers offensive line. Just like the Saints the Panthers are dealing with their own injuries on the offensive line which could make life easier on the Saints defensive line in stuffing the run and pressuring Bryce Young in the pass game. Specifically, can the Panthers offensive tackles hold up long enough against the Saints pass rush duo of Chase Young and Carl Granderson for Bryce Young to find his playmakers. If the Saints can pick up where they left off last week against the Browns with how productive they were in being disruptive up front on defence I like their odds against the Panthers. 

Panthers Injury Report

Jonothan Brooks (RB) - Doubtful

Brady Christensen (OG) - Questionable

Mike Jackson (CB) - Doubtful

Will Lee III (CB) - Questionable

Xavier Leggete (WR) - Questionable

Jaelen Phillips (Edge) - Questionable

Bobby Okereke (LB) - OUT

Saints Injury Report

CJ Donaldson (RB) - OUT

Taliese Fuaga (OT) - OUT

Christen Miller (DT) - OUT

Eric McCoy (OC) - OUT

Martin Emerson Jr (CB) - Questionable

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB) - Questionable