Hours From Kickoff vs. Panthers, Kellen Moore Just Dropped Massive News: Saints’ Biggest Star Is Officially Cleared
New Orleans, Louisiana – 12/13/2025
The New Orleans Saints entered Week 15 facing one of their biggest concerns of the season: the possibility of losing yet another offensive line cornerstone just days before a crucial rematch with the Carolina Panthers. With Asim Richards officially ruled out due to a high ankle sprain, the idea of fielding a third-string right tackle loomed large over the organization.
But on Friday morning, head coach Kellen Moore delivered the update that completely shifted the mood inside the building — Taliese Fuaga is back, carrying no injury designation and fully available.
Fuaga’s return doesn’t just stabilize the Saints’ protection scheme — it prevents an immediate structural crisis. In Tyler Shough’s five starts this season, only twice has he been protected by both starting tackles, and those were the games in which the rookie quarterback played his cleanest football.
Moore understands exactly what this moment means.
“You never want to go into a win-or-go-home game protected by your third-string right tackle — that’s how seasons die. But getting this man back — the one most fans sleep on — completely changes the script. One blind-side hit can end everything. His return just might save ours.”
Fuaga has endured a turbulent sophomore campaign, battling through injuries that disrupted both his rhythm and consistency. Yet even at less than full strength, his impact on the Saints’ offensive tempo has remained undeniable. With his power, discipline, and ability to anchor the edge, Fuaga is one of the pillars Shough relies on the most.
Shough has shown remarkable poise despite working behind a patchwork line for most of the year. But Moore knows no young quarterback can thrive long-term under those conditions.
Fuaga’s return, timed perfectly, gives New Orleans a stabilizing force as they enter a matchup that could define the remainder of their season.
The Saints didn’t just avoid a potential disaster — they recovered a vital piece of themselves that had been missing for weeks.
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