The New Orleans Saints are gearing up for the 2024 NFL season, but they'll have to navigate the early part of their schedule without one of their key players. Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk has been placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, sidelining him for at least the first four games of the season.
Ramczyk's Absence
Ramczyk, a stalwart of the Saints' offensive line, has been battling knee issues that have significantly limited his availability. Over the past three seasons, the veteran tackle managed to start just 38 of the team’s 50 games. The knee problem initially forced him out of the last four games of the previous regular season, and despite undergoing surgery in the offseason, he has not responded to treatment as well as the team had hoped. "Ramczyk's knee hadn't responded the way that they had hoped," head coach Dennis Allen conveyed, underscoring the challenges the team’s medical staff has faced in managing his recovery.
What The PUP Designation Means
With Ramczyk placed on the PUP list, he will be ineligible to participate in the first four games of the season. This designation gives the Saints some flexibility, allowing them a five-week window after that period to begin evaluating his readiness to practice. Once Ramczyk starts practicing, the team will have a 21-day window to decide whether to activate him to the 53-man roster. Failure to activate him within this period would result in Ramczyk remaining on the PUP list for the rest of the season.
Next Man Up
The Saints are already planning for life without their starting right tackle for the first month of the season and possibly longer. The team fortified its offensive line in the 2024 NFL Draft by selecting Taliese Fuaga, a promising tackle from Oregon State, in the first round. Fuaga has been taking on the responsibilities of left tackle during offseason training, likely pointing to a shift in dynamics along the offensive line given Ramczyk's absence.
Meanwhile, Trevor Penning, a first-round pick from 2022, has been getting reps at right tackle. Penning’s development will be critical as the Saints navigate the early part of the season without Ramczyk. The adaptation of these young tackles could be a determining factor in the Saints’ performance during the opening weeks.
Other Injury Concerns
Ramczyk isn’t the only Saint dealing with injury. The team has also placed tight end Juwan Johnson, defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon, linebacker Nephi Sewell, and defensive end Chase Young on the PUP list. The Saints will need to address these additional absences, which add further complexity to their roster management ahead of the season kickoff.
Chris Olave, a key offensive contributor, has been placed on the non-football injury list. The nature of Olave's injury remains undisclosed, but his absence from the lineup would be another significant blow to the team's depth chart if it lingers into the regular season.
Looking Ahead
As the Saints prepare for the 2024 season, their depth and adaptability will be tested. The early games will be crucial, not only for the team's record but also for evaluating the effectiveness of backup players stepping into larger roles. For Ryan Ramczyk, the next few months will be pivotal, as both he and the team hope for a swift and successful return to the field. The Saints will be closely monitoring his progress, with the structure provided by the PUP list offering a roadmap for his potential reactivation.
The moves made by the Saints in the offseason, particularly in the draft, reflect a strategic approach to shoring up potential weaknesses. With young talents like Fuaga and Penning getting the opportunity to prove themselves early, the team’s depth and future look promising, even as they deal with the immediate challenges posed by injuries to key players.