When Erik McCoy is healthy, he's undeniably one of the NFL's top centers—a cornerstone of the New Orleans Saints' offensive line. But after two straight seasons cut short by injury, the question on every fan's mind is: can the Saints trust him to stay on the field?

McCoy's 2025 campaign started with a bang. Through seven games, he was the highest-graded pass protector among all centers, earning an impressive 83.2 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. He allowed just three total pressures and zero sacks on 276 snaps. Then came Week 7 against the Chicago Bears, when a torn bicep ended his season—and his momentum.

This marked the second consecutive year McCoy appeared in only seven games. In 2024, a groin injury struck just three plays into a Week 3 matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending him to injured reserve for an extended stretch. At 28 years old, the pattern is starting to raise eyebrows.

The Saints have depth across the interior offensive line, but they haven't found a clear contingency plan if McCoy misses time again. One emergency option could be shifting Cesar Ruiz back to his college position at center, especially after the team drafted Auburn guard Jeremiah Wright in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft—Wright could step in at right guard if needed. There's also Torricelli Simpkins, an undrafted rookie who showed promise last season and could fill either role in a pinch.

For a team that relies on a strong interior to power its offense, McCoy's recent injury history is more than a footnote—it's a growing concern. Whether the Saints can weather another absence may determine just how far this offense can go.