James

Hurst

Hurst began his career as a UDFA with the Ravens in 2014 and started a few games, primarily at left tackle, over the next few seasons. He worked his way up to a full-time starting role at left guard in 2017. Hurst eventually joined the Saints as a free agent and has played a mix of guard and tackle for them over the past four years. His retirement adds more credibility to the idea that the Saints are all but guaranteed to take an offensive lineman in the first round of the draft.

While the practice was limited, it’s a step in the right direction for Hurst, who had been starting at left guard with Andrus Peat hurt. With Peat returning in Week 6, Hurst switched over to left tackle and then suffered an ankle injury. Getting Hurst back on the field will mean the Saints are finally healthy on the offensive line, which would be a major boost for Derek Carr.

Hurst had been starting at left guard with Andrus Peat hurt; however, with Peat returning in Week 6, Hurst switched over to left tackle and then suffered an ankle injury. The injury kept Hurst out for Week 7 and is now forcing him to start off on the wrong foot for Week 8. With the Saints offensive line banged up, they continue to perform poorly, allowing pressure on Derek Carr and opening few holes for Alvin Kamara. New Orleans obviously hopes to get Hurst back soon.

Ramczyk left Week 6 late in the fourth quarter with a concussion and will now miss Thursday’s game against the Jaguars. Saints left tackle James Hurst also left Week 6 with an ankle injury and will not play on Thursday night. In their absence, Trevor Penning will move to left tackle, Cesar Ruiz will slide to right tackle and rookie Nick Saldiveri will move to right guard. That’s not great news for Derek Carr against a solid Jaguars defense.

Hurst had been starting at left guard with Andrus Peat hurt; however, with Peat returning this week, Hurst had moved over to start at left tackle. Now it appears that the Saints will have to play without Hurst. That means Trevor Penning, who Pro Football Focus ranks 51st out of 71 tackles in 2023, will move back into the starting lineup at left tackle. That’s not great news for the entire Saints offense.

Hurst was doing an admirable job of replacing Trevor Penning at tackle. It doesn’t look like Penning will play this week as he works off some rust from his long-term turf toe injury. 2021 sixth-rounder Landon Young will likely get a spot start against the Rams.

Hurst has been reasonably competent as a fill-in left tackle while Trevor Penning has dealt with turf toe, compiling a 80.5 PFF pass block grade. Landon Young replaced Hurst at left tackle. If Hurst can’t make it back next week, it’s possible that Penning -- who has been practicing in his return window from injured reserve -- starts in Week 11.

Another way to frame this is: journeyman backup lineman James Hurst was getting the first-team reps over first-round OT Trevor Penning. Hurst did play fairly well in pass protection last year, with a 76.9 PFF pass block grade in 516 pass blocking snaps. It’s way too early to use this to pass judgement on Penning, and this could just be a situation where the rookie passes up the vet later in camp, but it’s notable that Penning hasn’t earned a first-team spot yet.

He’ll also receive $5 million guaranteed and can earn up to $13.5 million if used as a starter over that time. Hurst, a seven-year veteran, proved to be a versatile backup across 378 offensive snaps off the bench last year. He’s an ideal fit as the organization continues to weave its way under the allotted $183 million cap.

The Ravens released Hurst in March after he started 44 games across the offensive line over six seasons. He will have to serve a four-game suspension to open 2020 for violating the NFL’s PED policy. This is just another example of the Saints building offensive line depth for their final run with Drew Brees at quarterback