Cesar

Ruiz

Ruiz left Week 13 with a concussion and missed Wednesday’s practice. He was back for a limited session on Thursday before getting fully cleared today. Fellow interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick was also cleared for action this week.

Ruiz left Week 13 with concussion symptoms and did not return. Per head coach Darren Rizzi, Ruiz has made some progress through the league’s concussion protocols. That gives him a shot at suiting up on Sunday. His practice statuses over the next two days will be telling.

Ruiz missed four games with the knee issue but is one of many Saints players returning to the lineup this week. They are getting healthy at several spots but are still going to be without Derek Carr this week. Even with an improved offensive line, Spencer Rattler will be an easy target for LA’s defense.

Ruiz has missed the past four weeks with a knee injury. He is one of several Saints offensive linemen to go down with a multi-week injury this season. Not much will change for the New Orleans as long as Spencer Rattler is under center, but getting Ruiz back will help the offense when Derek Carr returns.

Ruiz signed a four-year, $44 million contract extension just before Week 1 last year. He is one of many Saints players who will have their contract restructured this offseason as they work their way from $75 million over the cap down to zero. This move will net the Saints $6.6 million in cap space.

Also out for the Saints are cornerback Paulson Adebo and safety Jordan Howden. Even down multiple starting members of their secondary, the Saints will still be a tough matchup for Baker Mayfield.

Ruiz missed the final three games of 2022 with an Achilles injury and now appears to be in concussion protocol. With the Saints likely turning over quarterback duties to Jameis Winston on Sunday, having a healthy offensive line would be a plus, but it doesn’t appear likely. The Saints were also without TE Foster Moreau (ankle), CB Paulson Adebo (ankle), and S Jordan Howden (finger) on Wednesday.

It has a max value of $46 million. The deal also includes $30 million guaranteed. The Saints declined a fifth-year option on Ruiz in May, which would have paid him $14.2 million. His new contract averages $11.5 million. Ruiz, who missed the final three games of 2022 with a torn Achilles, is healthy entering Week 1.

Ruiz will enter a contract year with the Saints in 2023 after the team opted to decline his fifth-year option. The former 24th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft has started 40 games for the Saints over the last three years but was sidelined for the final three games of last season with a foot injury. Ruiz would have been due $14.175 million on his fifth-year option, which seems like a steep price to pay for a player who has provided average guard play at best.

Ruiz’s regular season is over. He’s been remarkably consistent with PFF grades of 53.8, 57.6, and 56.6 in his three seasons as a starter after being drafted in the first round. He’ll be a tough call for Mickey Loomis this offseason as the Saints contemplate whether to pick up his fifth-year option. Ruiz turns 24 in June.