The New Orleans Saints’ difficult season went from bad to worse in Week 7, as two key offensive players suffered season-ending injuries and rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler turned in his worst performance of the year.
Despite flashes of promise earlier in the season, the Saints’ offense once again failed to sustain drives, and their 26-14 loss to the Chicago Bears dropped them to 1-6, the worst record in the NFC.
Rattler, who had been a rare bright spot in recent weeks, struggled mightily in Chicago. He threw three interceptions, fumbled once, and was sacked four times, with three of those sacks credited directly to his mistakes.
While he tried to push the ball downfield, a point of criticism in earlier games—his accuracy and decision-making unraveled. His poor outing came on a day when New Orleans also lost running back Kendre Miller and center Erik McCoy, devastating blows to an already inconsistent offense.
Injuries and turnovers push Saints deeper into crisis
New Orleans’ latest setback began when backup running back Kendre Miller exited the game with a knee injury. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, tests confirmed a torn ACL, abruptly ending the rookie’s season.
Before the injury, Miller had rushed 47 times for 193 yards and one touchdown, stepping up amid trade rumors surrounding Alvin Kamara. His progress had been one of the few positives for the Saints’ struggling offense.
The bad news didn’t stop there. Starting center Erik McCoy also went down with what Ian Rapoport reported as a torn biceps, sidelining him for the rest of the year and requiring surgery.
McCoy, described as the “anchor” of the Saints’ offensive line, had been instrumental in giving Rattler time in the pocket. Losing him severely weakens both the line and the team’s overall stability.
Defensively, New Orleans looked lifeless. The Bears ran through them for 222 rushing yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Offensively, the Saints managed just 253 total yards, with 164 of those coming during two brief scoring drives.
For a team already hanging by a thread, these injuries and Rattler’s regression have deepened the crisis. The Saints cannot afford further setbacks if Rattler is to prove he belongs in long-term franchise plans.
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