Sep 22, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (78) is injured on a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Report: Saints C Erik McCoy (groin) expected to miss 6-8 weeks

New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy is expected to require surgery on his groin that would sideline him for six to eight weeks, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The injury is not expected to end McCoy’s season, per the report.

McCoy, 27, sustained the injury in the first quarter of the Saints’ 15-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

He has started all three games this season and all 77 contests in which he has played since being selected by New Orleans in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl for the first time last season.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints center Erik McCoy (78) is injured on a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

All-Pro OL Lane Johnson of Eagles, Erik McCoy of Saints out with injuries

Philadelphia Eagles All-Pro offensive tackle Lane Johnson and New Orleans Saints starting center Erik McCoy have been ruled out of their game Sunday, with Johnson sustaining a concussion and McCoy a groin injury.

Philadelphia also ruled out wide receiver Britain Covey (shoulder), while guard Mekhi Becton (finger) was questionable to return.

Johnson, 34, is a two-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl selection. He has started all 146 of his games since the Eagles picked him fourth overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. He played in 100 percent (147) of the team’s offensive snap counts in the first two games this season.

Covey, 27, had seven receptions for 34 yards in three games this season, including one catch for 11 yards on Sunday. He entered Sunday with 10 catches for 65 yards in 35 games since 2022 for Philadelphia.

McCoy was injured on the third play from scrimmage after the Saints received the opening kickoff. Starting left guard Lucas Patrick moved to center, and Oli Udoah took Patrick’s place on the line.

The Saints’ Blake Grupe kicked a 34-yard field on that possession and New Orleans (2-0) had a 3-0 edge on Philadelphia (1-1) at halftime.

McCoy, 27, has started all 77 games he has played since New Orleans selected him in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. He played 100 percent of the offensive snaps (1,152) in 2023 when he was selected to the Pro Bowl. McCoy made the NFL All-Rookie Team in 2019.

He played 95 percent (119) of the offensive snaps in the first two games of the season.

–Field Level Media