Saints shift Cesar Ruiz to center, with Jeremiah Wright starting at right guard vs. Panthers

The New Orleans Saints will address an Erik McCoy injury by moving Cesar Ruiz from right guard to center for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers in the Caesars Superdome, Saints coach Kellen Moore said Wednesday.

Ruiz’s move means rookie Jeremiah Wright will make his second start of the season at right guard. Moore indicated Ruiz has practiced the center rotation and that the team will use a rotation approach up front rather than treating it as a one-position lock.

The Saints’ need for a center replacement was driven by McCoy’s biceps injury suffered Sunday in New Orleans’ 23-22 overtime win against the Cleveland Browns.

Moore also noted that Ruiz has previous NFL experience at center, including relief work and starts in 2021 after McCoy was injured in the season opener, while Ruiz said the adjustment to center is based on muscle memory and recent practice reps.

Beyond the line, New Orleans reported that running back Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) returned Wednesday and practiced on a limited basis. The Saints also listed multiple players as not practicing Wednesday, including running back Alvin Kamara (back/rest), running back CJ Donaldson (shoulder), and McCoy, along with limited participants such as Kelvin Banks Jr. (ankle), David Edwards (knee), Martin Emerson Jr. (shin), Noah Fant (back), and Christen Miller (knee).