Terron Armstead was injured against the New England Patriots when running back Tony Jones Jr.’s helmet hit with Armstead’s left arm while assisting with a block. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, initial testing on the New Orleans Saints left tackle’s damaged elbow indicate he’ll be sidelined for “several weeks” rather than months, and it’s not expected to be a season-ending issue.
Still, a time on injured reserve is not out of the question. Depending on his rehabilitation timeframe, that may be the move; teams are allowed to put players on ice for at least three weeks during the season, so he could return after the Saints’ Week 6 bye if that’s the path they take. Other starters such as Michael Thomas, Marcus Davenport, Kwon Alexander, and David Onyemata are expected to return around the same time.
Whatever the Saints decide, they have enough depth to weather the blow. James Hurst has performed admirably at left tackle on short notice, youngster Landon Young has had a solid summer, and Ryan Ramczyk could theoretically swing across from the right side in an emergency. With Armstead’s contract set to expire in the spring, potentially forcing him into free agency, the Saints have an opportunity to put their contingency plans to the test.
Injuries have been a regular source of frustration for Armstead throughout his Saints career. He’s never played a full 16-game season, though he came close with 15 starts in 2019 (and 14 in 2020 and 2014). It was difficult to sell holding it down for a complete 17-game slate in 2021. He’s battled devastating injuries in the past, including a torn pectoral muscle and a broken hand, but everyone has a limit. Here’s to a quick and complete recovery.
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