The Saints’ opportunity in Paris comes with a practical problem: keeping their offense functional while important players work through the practice week.
Cesar Ruiz missed a second consecutive practice Thursday with a knee injury, leaving the right guard’s progress among the central storylines before New Orleans faces Pittsburgh. The Saints enter at 2–4 after beating the Giants 34–27, with another victory offering a chance to build momentum before their bye.
New Orleans is the designated home team Sunday, October 25, at Stade de France. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Central.
Ruiz’s absence puts the interior in focus
Thursday’s report listed 11 Saints. Alvin Kamara remained limited with a back issue, Kaden Elliss was limited with a calf injury, and Anfernee Jennings was limited with a knee problem. Tyler Shough again practiced fully with his left hand listed.
C.J. Donaldson moved from limited participation to full participation with a shoulder injury. Spencer Rattler was added with a knee issue but participated fully. Daniel Carlson remained absent for a personal matter, while Davon Godchaux received a rest day.
Those are practice designations. They do not, by themselves, determine who will play Sunday.
For Kellen Moore, the protection question reaches beyond any one matchup. A reliable interior helps the quarterback step into throws and gives the running game somewhere to begin. If the lineup changes, communication and assignment clarity need to hold up with it.
Pittsburgh has concerns of its own
T.J. Watt was limited Thursday with a calf injury. Alex Highsmith remained limited with a groin issue, while Jalen Ramsey progressed from no participation to limited work with a wrist injury.
The Steelers also placed defensive lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day on injured reserve. Cornerback Brandin Echols and receiver Ben Skowronek have been ruled out.
New Orleans should prepare its offensive plan around sound protection and efficient decisions. An opponent’s injury report cannot substitute for a quarterback having clear answers when pressure arrives.
Make the Giants win count again
The Saints can help their protection with productive first downs, useful outlet options and a running game that keeps the playbook available. Repeated third-and-long situations would place too much weight on individual blocks and difficult throws.
Kamara’s workload and Ruiz’s availability will therefore matter to the same larger issue: how often New Orleans can call the next play from a manageable situation.
The analysis for Sunday is straightforward. The Saints need a performance that survives an imperfect stretch—a stalled drive, a protection adjustment or a sudden change of possession—without unraveling.
Paris supplies the setting. The line of scrimmage and the decisions behind it will help determine whether New Orleans leaves with consecutive wins.
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