New Orleans Saints Right Guard Larry Warford to Miss Several Weeks Due to Abdominal Strain
New Orleans Saints will have to play without an important member of the offensive line in the coming weeks.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Larry Warford is expected to miss several weeks of action due to an abdominal injury. The veteran offensive guard went down with the injury in the third quarter of their game against the Green Bay Packers last Sunday.
Warford still hasn't been ruled out of Sunday's matchup against the Chicago Bears and Saints head coach Sean Payton said they will continue to evaluate his condition in the coming days.
"We'll see how the week progresses," Payton stated on Wednesday, via NOLA.com.
Warford signed a four-year, $34 million contract with the Saints this offseason and he has played great thus far. The Saints will surely feel his absence in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, versatile offensive lineman Senio Kelemete is expected to get the start at right guard if Warford is unavailable for the game.
"He's just someone we can plug in different spots. Since I've been here, he's been a center, he's been a guard, he's played left tackle, he's played snaps at right tackle. That's unusual for an offensive lineman," Payton said.
Kelemete has played at right tackle and left guard as well in the first seven games of the season.
Saints quarterback Drew Brees also believes that Kelemete shouldn't have any problem filling in for Warford.
"Senio is one of those unsung heroes. A guy who can come in at a moment's notice and handle it and doesn't blink. ... There's not a guy that's more respected or appreciated, at least from my perspective," Drew Brees said after the Saints' 26–17 victory over the Packers on Sunday, via ESPN.
Veteran offensive linemen John Greco and Josh LeRibeus may see some action at guard as well when the Saints take on the Bears on Sunday.
