Not only losing to the Bills, the Saints face further crisis as interior OL superstar suffers long-term injury

Not only losing to the Bills, the Saints face further crisis as interior OL superstar suffers long-term injury

New Orleans, 09/30/2025

The New Orleans Saints continue to sink into difficulties as they lose offensive line pillar Cesar Ruiz after the 19–31 defeat to the Buffalo Bills. An ankle injury will sideline the right guard for 4 to 6 weeks, dealing a heavy blow to head coach Kellen Moore’s rebuilding effort in his first season leading the team.

Ruiz, a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is an irreplaceable factor on the interior line. With more than 70 career starts, he has provided stability for an offense often shaken by injuries. However, in the game against the Bills, Ruiz was forced to leave late in the second quarter after 28 snaps, giving way to rookie Torricelli Simpkins III. The undrafted player from South Carolina surprised by allowing only one pressure in 39 snaps, opening up a competition for the position and raising questions about Ruiz’s role once he returns.

Head coach Kellen Moore, in the postgame press conference, could not hide his concerns: “Losing Cesar is a huge loss. He is the heart of the interior line, the one who keeps everything together. We have to adapt quickly, but honestly, I worry that this pressure may shake our offense. I trust Simpkins and the other guys, but without Ruiz, everything will be much harder, especially against strong opponents ahead.”

Ruiz’s absence is a major blow as the Saints desperately search for a win. The offense, ranked last in the NFC South in efficiency, now faces increased pressure to protect quarterback Spencer Rattler and open lanes for Alvin Kamara. The coaching staff may turn to Lucas Patrick for added depth, but without Ruiz’s experience, the Saints’ interior line could become a glaring weakness against opponents like the Giants, Patriots, Bears, and Buccaneers.

This is the second straight season Ruiz has suffered a long-term injury, raising concerns about his durability. With a 0–4 record, the Saints are cornered. The Week 5 game against the Giants will be a major test of the Saints’ ability to adapt without their interior offensive line superstar.