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The Saints’ right tackle was added to the injury report today, which is extremely unfortunate. The team is already without center Erik McCoy (biceps). Hopefully, this is only a minor issue for Fuaga.

Fuaga played in Week 13, but appears to have injured his other ankle — this is not the same ankle he was on the report for earlier in the year — somewhere along the way despite playing 100 percent of the snaps.

Fuaga has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the last few weeks. He was a limited practice participant on Friday, but is still not yet ready to go. Estime is also inactive in the backfield with Alvin Kamara (ankle) good to go for Week 12 against the Falcons.

The Saints’ depleted offensive line is in rough shape. Fuaga has a long way to go in his development, having allowed 22 quarterback pressures and three sacks this season, but downgrading to his backup, OT Asim Richards, won’t be any better. They face the Panthers this weekend, who field a solid defensive tackle unit.

Ditto Jack Stoll. Fuaga has played through multiple injuries this year, with a knee and back listing. The second-year tackle has played up to his form last year, with a 65.0 PFF rating in 473 dropbacks. Asim Richards replaced him for the final two snaps of Week 9’s loss to the Rams and would be next man up.

The Saints’ right tackle is now firmly on track to suit up in Week 4 against the Bills. Fuaga entered Week 2 with a knee injury and exited Week 2 with a back injury as well. The 23-year-old was unable to play in Week 3 against the Seahawks. Saints EDGE Chase Young (calf) and OG Dillon Radunz (toe) remain sidelined.

Fuaga missed Week 3 with the pair of injuries. Trevor Penning was active but did not play. Penning was upgraded to a full participant in Wednesday’s practice and could be ready to make his first start by Sunday. Getting both linemen back in the trenches would be a notable boost for Spencer Rattler as he searches for his first NFL win.

Fuaga played through his knee injury last week but he picked up a back injury in-game and was unable to practice at all this week. Young (calf) has yet to suit up in 2025. Saints LG Trevor Penning (toe) was limited all week, but New Orleans Football’s Nick Underhill and Mike Triplett both expressed skepticism as to whether he was healthy enough to start against the Seahawks today. The offensive line will remain worryingly short-staffed.

Also out was EDGE Chase Young (knee). Both Fuaga and Young did not practice last Wednesday, either. However, Fuaga did practice later in the week and went on to play in Week 2 while Young was sidelined again while still not practicing. Between the two, Fuaga is more likely to work his way back to play Week 3 against the Seahawks while it seems Young will still need more time.

Fuaga missed Wednesday’s practice, causing some concern that the second-year tackle wouldn’t suit up for Week 2. He returned for two limited sessions and told reporters he was optimistic about his availability for today’s game. Fuaga is good to go and will be protecting Spencer Rattler’s blindside once again this week.

Fuaga said he was optimistic he’d play on Thursday and was able to get in back-to-back limited sessions to end the week. It does sound like his inflamed patellar tendon is going to cause him some trouble, as it did in Week 1, and may need to be managed throughout the season.

Fuaga said he’s dealing with an inflamed patellar tendon that he aggravated in the second quarter against the Cardinals in Week 1. “I’m going to be good this week,” Fuaga said. “Just making sure I’m good, making sure … nothing’s inflamed or anything. Just making sure it’s calmed down.” The pain was so sharp that Fuaga left the game in the fourth quarter despite playing through the injury in the third. It sounds like Fuaga may need to be managed quite a bit this season.

Saints OG Trevor Penning (toe) and EDGE Chase Young (calf) were absent as well. Fuaga mans the right side of the line while Penning mans the inner left. This unit will be in bad shape if they are asked to take on the 49ers’ pass rush without two of its starters. Both Penning and Young missed Week 1 as well, while Fuaga was forced from play against the Cardinals last week.

Fuaga left the Saints’ Week 1 game against the Cardinals with an apparent knee injury. The 23-year-old did not head to the locker room, instead sitting on the Saints’ bench while Asim Richards replaced him at right tackle. Fuaga is questionable to return.