Who was the Saints’ breakout player vs. the Panthers?

TheNew Orleans Saintshave dropped their seventh consecutive game following their recent loss to theCarolina Pantherson Sunday.

This week’s standout player took advantage of his opportunity after replacing starting LG Lucas Patrick, who exited the game early with a calf injury and did not return. The breakout player from the Saints’ Week 9 loss to the Panthers wasLG Nick Saldiveri.

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Saldiveri was projected to be the Saints’ starting left guard entering the season, but a nagging calf injury kept him off the field for the majority of training camp and allowed Patrick to secure the team’s starting job after an impressive offseason and debut for New Orleans.

Ironically, Patrick left Sunday’s game after suffering a calf injury of his own, opening the door for Saldiveri to deliver the best performance of his young NFL career.

According to Pro Football Focus, Saldiveri posted an 81.1 overall grade (80.2 in run blocking) on 36 total snaps, ranking second among Saints players in Week 9. He allowed just one pressure on 18 pass-blocking snaps against the