BREAKING NEWS: Deck Stacks Against Spencer Rattler Ahead of Season Debut
Posted September 6, 2025
Kellen Moore ruled Trevor Penning out for the New Orleans Saints season opener against the Arizona Cardinals. This has to feel all too familiar for Spencer Rattler. One piece of Rattler's offensive line is already out of the starting lineup in his first start of the season. The loss isn't crippling, but it does feel like the second year player can't catch a break.
The constant in the six games Rattler started as a rookie, and the one constant throughout that time was injuries tore apart his supporting cast. He had multiple injuries in front of him on the offensive line, the top receivers out and an injured Alvin Kamara to finish the year. It won't be to that degree on Sunday, but it's hard to not think back to 2024 when hearing Penning will miss the upcoming game.
Ironically, Penning was one of the players who didn't miss any time. He suffered a turf toe injury during the first preseason game. It's been nearly a month since he suffered the injury, so you'd think Penning should be close to returning. He didn't practice this week, but we'll monitor if he sees any improvement next week.
Saints always had a contingency plan for Trevor Penning getting injured
You don’t want to see players get hurt, but teams are more equipped to deal with injuries at certain positions. Guard is one of those positions for New Orleans due to signing Dillon Radunz in the offseason.
Radunz always felt like a contingency plan around Penning’s transition to guard not working out. Though it was optimism around Penning’s skillset being better suited for the interior, Radunz is proven at guard. Many thought there was a chance he would be the starter before the Saints confirmed they were trying Penning at guard.
You hate to see Rattler start another game without his entire offensive line, but having a true starting caliber player as a replacement makes it easier to manage. When he stepped in at guard, Radunz's play inspired confidence.
Dre Greenlaw’s Struggles in Denver Raise Concerns About $31.5 Million Investment
The Denver Broncos were one of the biggest surprises in football last season, winning 10 games and making it to the playoffs in spite of fielding a rookie quarterback.
The Broncos then doubled down and made some huge additions during the offseason, which has some labeling them a major sleeper in the AFC. However, one of Denver's biggest acquisitions might already be a disappointment.
The Broncos signed linebacker Dre Greenlaw to a three-year, $31.5 million contract in free agency, hoping he would bolster an already fearsome front seven. They knew there was risk involved, as Greenlaw tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in February 2024 and has barely played since.
But, because Denver knows what Greenlaw can do when he is healthy, it decided to sign him to a multi-year contract.
Unfortunately, Greenlaw suffered a quad injury back in April, an issue that has plagued him ever since. He was expected to be ready for the season opener, but now, he has been ruled out for the Broncos' Week 1 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, via Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.
Greenlaw returned to the field with the 49ers late last year, but it didn't take him long to sustain a calf injury that placed him back on the sideline.
Denver handed Greenlaw $11.5 million in guaranteed money, so his deal is heavily laced with incentives.
However, the Broncos were expecting the 28-year-old to represent a significant part of their defense in 2025.
The fact that Greenlaw is already having difficulty getting back onto the football field is certainly not a good omen moving forward.
In his last healthy campaign in 2023, Greenlaw racked up 120 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four passes defended. He is a terrific player when he is available, so hopefully, he can make a full recovery for Denver.
But clearly, the early returns are not looking great.
