Saints sign veteran C Connor McGovern off Jets practice squad

The bad news: The Saints were missing their top four centers during Friday’s practice.

Yes, FOUR:

Erik McCoy (on injured reserve following groin surgery), Shane Lemieux (missed his second straight practice with an ankle injury described as minor), Lucas Patrick (a new absence from practice Friday with a groin injury) and G Cesar Ruiz (who has filled in at C in the past but has also been sidelined the past two weeks with a knee injury).

The good news: They found a surprisingly qualified option available by signing eighth-year veteran Connor McGovern off the Jets practice squad. McGovern, 31, has 91 career starts with the Broncos and Jets over the past eight seasons – primarily at center, but also at guard.

A dislocated kneecap ended McGovern’s season in Week 7 last year and threatened to end his career. But he re-signed with the Jets’ practice squad in early September and has been with them for the past month.

McGovern was the Jets’ starting center from 2020-2023 before last year’s injury. He began his career as a fifth-round draft pick with Denver out of Missouri in 2016.

Saints offensive line coach John Benton was McGovern's position coach in New York from 2021-2022, and Saints senior offensive assistant Rick Dennison was the Broncos' offensive coordinator in 2016 when McGovern was drafted.

"Veteran player, very familiar with Connor, played a lot of football in this league," Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak said. "Very familiar with our style, our scheme, our verbiage. So I think if he gets an opportunity, I think he’ll do a great job."

It’s unclear if McGovern will be needed on Monday night at Kansas City since it’s possible that both Lemieux and Patrick could still be healthy enough to play. But if needed, McGovern does offer a potential plug-and-play solution at a badly-depleted position. Plus, his resume suggests that he could compete to earn the starting center job long-term while McCoy is sidelined.

Kubiak rejected the notion that this latest wave of injuries to one specific group is unique.

“No. It’s the game, it’s football, it’s part of the job and it’s part of the reason guys make a career for themselves when they step up and get an opportunity like this,” Kubiak said. “So it’s unfortunate, but that’s what we’re built for and that’s the game. We just have to rally around them and everyone do their job and that will take care of itself.”