New Orleans Saints lose Pro Bowl guard Andrus Peat to a broken thumb

The New Orleans Saints offensive line may have to do some shuffling after an injury to one of its key contributors. Starting left guard Andrus Peat missed practice on Monday with what the Associated Press reported was a hand injury. On Tuesday Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported that the injury is a broken thumb. The timetable for Peat's return is unclear, but he has not been ruled out for the Saints' season opener on Sept. 13 against Tampa Bay.

The 26-year-old Peat is in the first year of a five-year extension worth $57.5 million.

Last season Peat earned Pro Bowl honors for the second consecutive year. He started 10 games at left guard for a team that tied for third in the NFL in points per game and allowed the league's third-fewest sacks. He missed six games last season due to a fractured forearm but returned to play in the regular season finale and the team's only playoff game.

From 2015-18, Peat was a durable and versatile member of the New Orleans front five. He played in 55 regular season contests with 50 starts at four of five positions on the offensive line: left guard, left tackle, right guard and right tackle.

Until Peat returns, the Saints will be without both of their guards from last season. Larry Warford started 15 games at right guard for New Orleans last year and made the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive season. But he was released by the Saints on May 8, a move that saved the team more than $7 million in salary cap space and opened a spot for rookie first-round pick Cesar Ruiz to start on the offensive line.

Warford, 29, has been courted by multiple teams in the offseason but has said he is opting out of the 2020 season with a return in 2021 possible.

New Orleans is a -110 favorite to win the NFC South on the William Hill sportsbook moneyline odds. The Saints' moneyline price to win the Super Bowl is +1200, behind only the Chiefs, Ravens and 49ers.

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