Darren Rizzi talks Rams loss, Taysom Hill injury, Giants game

As the Saints approach their next game against the New York Giants in Metlife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 8, Rizzi is expecting to get some pieces back along the offensive line.

“Right now, we’re on track to get Erik McCoy back and Lucas Patrick back,” Rizzi said. Those guys are both trending in the right direction. They’re kind of through the rehab process. Looks like at least we’ll get those guys back on the field in some way, shape or form on Wednesday, which is certainly good news. We have a chance, maybe this week, to take the field with our starting five offensive linemen. That would be a positive. We’ll kind of see how the week plays out there from an injury standpoint, but at least there’s, going into the week, looking like a bright spot.”

If the Saints field their starting group that begin the season in tackles Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning, guards Cesar Ruiz and Patrick along with McCoy at center against the Giants, it would be the first time since Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 22 where that unit of five started.

Two other guys Rizzi said are nearing a return are running back Kendre Miller and wide receiver Bub Means. Rizzi said he expects the team to open both of their 21-day windows to return from injured reserve which will allow them to return to the practice field.

“Listen, I’m going to try to get Kendre going,” Rizzi said. “Kendre, we’re going to open up his window. We’ll see what it looks like here at practice this week and make a decision at the end of the week, but I know he’s kind of chomping at the bit. It’s been a very frustrating year for him and us in that regard, with a couple of injuries. But, listen, there’s no doubt that Kendre is a talented guy. We just got to get him back and see what he looks like. Same thing with Bub. Little bit of a frustrating year for Bub too fighting a couple different injuries, but looks like we’ll both be able to maybe start his 21-day window this week as well. So, a couple guys that haven’t been out there for us, a couple bodies that could certainly help the cause for sure.”