New Orleans Saints offensive linemen Taliese Fuaga (75), Cesar Ruiz (51), Erik McCoy (78), and Trevor Penning (70) prepare for a drill during training camp in Metairie on Sunday, August 3, 2025. (Staff photo by Brett Duke, The Times-Picayune)
STAFF PHOTO BY BRETT DUKE
New Orleans Saints tackle [Taliese Fuaga](https://www.nola.com/tncms/asset/editorial/1e9d3225-c52b-4cf6-b16f-88d082864d8a/) missed Thursday’s practice with a knee injury, marking yet another offensive lineman to get hurt for the Saints in recent weeks.
Moore said Fuaga’s injury was “nothing major,” but that he got hurt near the end of Wednesday’s practice in the Caesars Superdome. After playing left tackle as a rookie, the Saints moved Fuaga to right tackle — his position in college — this offseason.
“He had a little something happen, we’ll just keep an eye on him,” Moore said, later adding, “He practiced pretty much all of practice (Wednesday).”
If Fuaga is indeed able to return quickly, New Orleans will have been fortunate to avoid another significant injury up front.
Left guard Trevor Penning suffered a foot injury — reportedly turf toe — in a Aug. 10 preseason loss to the Los Angeles Chargers that will keep him out a reported 4-6 weeks. Moore was noncommittal when asked if Penning would be ready for the team’s Sept. 7 season opener against the Arizona Cardinals, though added they would take the next few weeks to monitor his progress. Penning was seen at Wednesday’s practice with a walking boot on his right foot.
The Saints have also experienced two season-ending injuries along the offensive line. The team put third-year guard Nick Saldiveri on injured reserve with a knee injury and veteran center Will Clapp was lost for the year due to a foot injury. The blow to the Saints’ depth caused the team to acquire center Luke Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars and sign guards Shane Lemieux and Mike Panasiuk.
Last year, the Saints were decimated by injuries in the trenches — notably losing center Erik McCoy for most of the season with groin and elbow injuries. Guards Cesar Ruiz and Lucas Patrick also missed at least four games each.