New Orleans Saints Rule Out Key Defensive Following a Last-Minute Illness

By John Sigler | Saints Wire

The New Orleans Saints were dealt a late and frustrating setback just hours before kickoff in Week 9, as defensive tackle John Ridgeway III was ruled out with an illness.

The decision came after Ridgeway was added to the injury report on Sunday morning, putting his status in question ahead of the Saints’ road matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. By Sunday afternoon, the team made it official—Ridgeway would not be suiting up.

It’s a tough blow for both Ridgeway and the Saints’ defensive front. The former Arkansas Razorback had only recently returned from injured reserve, working his way back into the defensive line rotation after missing the first half of the season. His return provided much-needed depth to a unit that has battled through inconsistency and injuries all year.

Ridgeway logged 16 defensive snaps in last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, showing flashes of the interior strength that made him a valuable offseason pickup.

Unfortunately, the Saints will now have to make do without him against one of the NFC’s most physical offensive lines. The Rams, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford and star running back Kyren Williams, have relied heavily on inside zone running and quick passing concepts that test the toughness of opposing defensive tackles.

Ridgeway’s 6-foot-5, 320-pound frame would have been key in clogging running lanes and collapsing the pocket from the inside.

In a curious roster move, the Saints chose not to activate second-year pro Khristian Boyd, who had been replaced by Ridgeway in the rotation after the latter’s return from injured reserve.

That leaves the Saints thinner than expected at defensive tackle, forcing starters Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders to shoulder a heavier workload. Backup Malcolm Roach could also see increased snaps as the Saints look for ways to fill the void in the middle of their defensive line.

Head coach Dennis Allen didn’t elaborate on the nature of Ridgeway’s illness, but it appears significant enough to sideline him despite the team’s pressing need for depth. “We always want to be smart with our players’ health,” Allen said prior to kickoff. “If a guy’s not feeling right, we’re not going to put him in a position to hurt himself or the team.”

It’s an unfortunate turn for Ridgeway, who was just beginning to regain momentum after a long recovery. Still, the Saints are hoping his absence will be short-lived. Illnesses often pass quickly, and with another important divisional matchup looming, the team expects Ridgeway to rejoin the rotation soon.

For now, the Saints will need others to step up. In the NFL, availability often matters as much as talent—and on Sunday, illness proved to be the toughest opponent John Ridgeway couldn’t tackle.