Trevor Penning and the Saints got some good news this week. The first-round offensive tackle could return from his foot injury by early November, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Saints coach Dennis Allen also provided some optimism, telling reporters that there’s hope the first-round pick will be able to play at some point this season, per ESPN’s Mike Triplett.
Even if he’s not ready to play by early November, Rapoport estimates that Penning should be healthy enough to practice. Either way, it sounds like the lineman should be good to go for the stretch run of the season, something that didn’t seem likely when we first learned of the rookie’s foot injury.
Penning initially suffered what was thought to be a “bad case of turf toe” during New Orleans’ preseason finale, but it was later revealed that the lineman suffered a ligament tear in his injured foot. Considering the timing and severity of the injury (plus the organization’s investment in the lineman), there was some fear that Penning may have to miss his entire rookie campaign.
The Northern Iowa product was selected by the Saints with the 19th-overall pick in this year’s draft, and he was expected to replace the departed Terron Armstead in the starting lineup. The rookie made headlines during training camp when he got into fights with teammates for three consecutive days. James Hurst was expected to start at LT even before Penning suffered his injury, and when the rookie returns, there’s a chance he’ll have to settle into a backup role.
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