METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints' stunning home loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 10 will have a lasting sting. Pro Bowl left guard Andrus Peat suffered a broken forearm and is expected to miss at least six weeks, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
Peat, a former first-round draft pick who has also served as New Orleans' backup left tackle when needed, made his first Pro Bowl as an alternate last year. He was replaced by second-year backup Will Clapp when he left Sunday's game in the second quarter.
Both Clapp and veteran backup Nick Easton are candidates to replace Peat when the Saints travel to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
"Of course it's difficult, because he's been a starter, for what, five years now, and been one of the main components there with the front," Saints quarterback Drew Brees said. "But as is our league, every season you're gonna have guys go down for a period of time -- you hope not too long. And you have to have guys step up and fill in and do the job. And I'm confident with the guys we have to do that."
The Saints offensive line had been one of the NFL's best in pass protection over the first eight games of the season, allowing just 12 sacks. However, they allowed six of them in the 26-9 loss to Atlanta.
The timing of the injury is also tough personally for Peat, who is in the final year of his contract. If all goes well, he should be healthy in time for a playoff run, however.
The status of New Orleans standout cornerback Marshon Lattimore is also in doubt after he left Sunday's game early with a hamstring injury and missed Wednesday's practice.
