Ryan Ramczyk recently underwent a knee procedure to rectify what has proven to be a lingering issue. The veteran Saints right tackle was believed to be on track to recover at the time, but his situation has taken a turn for the worse.
When speaking at the annual league meeting on Tuesday, head coach Dennis Allen said (via Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football) he felt better about Ramczyk’s health at the time of the operation than he does now. Taking the matter further, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the 29-year-old faces the possibility of missing the 2024 season altogether.
Ramczyk said late in the campaign he has been dealing with a cartilage defect for years, admitting it has become an issue over time. He acknowledged his short-term future was uncertain regarding surgery while adding his intention to continue playing. As things stand, though, the former All-Pro could be sidelined for an extended period during the final year, during which guaranteed money exists on his contract.
The former first-rounder agreed to restructure his deal and lowered his cap hit to $12.86M in the process. He is owed $6.5M guaranteed for 2024 regardless of his health status, but a release or retirement could come into play next offseason without progress in his rehab. Ramczyk is under contract through 2026, and Underhill’s colleague Mike Triplett notes the team would incur $23M in dead money in either development.
The offensive line is already a priority for the Saints, a team with question marks on the blindside, given Trevor Penning‘s early struggles. Longtime starter Andrus Peat is unsigned, as are Cameron Erving and Max Garcia. Having Ramczyk unavailable for some or all of the upcoming season would add to New Orleans' urgency to make multiple additions up front in the second wave of free agency and the draft. The latter’s recovery process will be worth watching as the offseason unfolds.
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