Taliese Fuaga left Thursday’s practice with back tightness and didn’t return to work on Friday, the final training camp session in California. Dennis Allen spoke with the media after Thursday’s practice about the injury. He didn’t have much information to give because it was immediately after practice. Allen did mention he noticed Fuaga was stretching his back prior to practice.
The New Orleans Saints can’t afford for this injury to be something more and last into the season. Though he’s a rookie, he already feels like an invaluable piece of the offensive line. If it is just some minor tightness, it likely won’t last into the season. The simple thought of it, however, has brought his value to the offensive line to the forefront.
Part of Fuaga’s importance is his talent. His performance through the entirety of the offseason produces confidence he can make the transition to left tackle. The other factor to his importance is the other side of the line. Trevor Penning is facing his own challenges with risk of failure at right tackle.
Unless the Saints add a new tackle or something changes drastically and quickly, expecting quality play at right tackle is borderline delusional. No one on that side has had a confidence-inspiring offseason or preseason so far. Penning must turn it up in a hurry.
Fuaga misses time and now you risk subpar play at both tackles. You can’t afford that in the NFL. It becomes increasingly more concerning when you see some of the defensive linemen the Saints have to face early, guys like Jadeveon Clowney, Micah Parsons, and newly-acquired Falcons pass rusher Matthew Judon.
